This made Li Shimin anxious, and he wanted to trade one for one with me.

Wen Yanbo muttered, "What kind of elimination method is this? You're clearly using a retreat as a tactic to advance."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Jun laughed and said, "If it's only targeting me, then it is indeed a strategic retreat, but if it's targeting everyone, isn't it just a process of elimination?"

Wen Yanbo grasped the key point in his words and pondered it carefully before saying, "Targeting everyone..."

"You mean, if they use the earthquake as a pretext against you, you'll use the earthquake as a pretext against them in return?"

Seeing that he had guessed his plan, Cheng Jun readily admitted, "Of course, am I the kind of person who wouldn't retaliate if someone punched me?"

"Uncle Wen, I am now a commoner and it is not appropriate for me to stay any longer. I will return first."

Wen Yanbo waved his hand and said, "Go ahead, go ahead."

Watching his departing figure, Wen Yanbo murmured to himself:

"The process of elimination...that's interesting."

.............

Riding his Akhal-Teke horse "Adolf," Cheng Jun returned to the Cheng residence without stopping.

He had just stopped by the roadside, and before he could even dismount, Cheng Zhong's voice came from the gate of the mansion:

"Sanlang is back!"

As Cheng Zhong stepped out of the mansion gate, he saw Cheng Jun dismounting, his crimson official robes and hat with the mythical beast design vanished. Cheng Zhong's pupils constricted sharply, and he exclaimed in surprise:

"Sanlang, where is your official robe?"

As Cheng Jun handed him the reins, he said, "They've been taken off."

Cheng Zhong said in disbelief, "How could this be...?"

Suddenly remembering something, he turned and roared into the mansion:

"Eldest brother, second brother, and third brother have been dismissed from their posts!"

He shouted twice, and soon hurried footsteps came from inside the mansion gate.

Cheng Chumo and Cheng Chuliang rushed out quickly. Seeing that Cheng Jun was only wearing a white undergarment, Cheng Chumo decisively turned around and said:

"Second brother, go get the horse spear and take it to our father!"

Without hesitation, Cheng Chuliang turned around and was about to go into the mansion to get the horse spear.

Cheng Jun quickly grabbed him, saying with a mix of amusement and exasperation:

"Big brother, second brother, don't do anything rash."

Cheng Chumo solemnly said, "Don't worry, your second brother and I won't do anything reckless. We're just sending the horse spear to our father. He definitely needs it right now."

Cheng Chuliang chimed in, "That's right, just because you were dismissed from your post, Dad will definitely fight that guy!"

"You two really don't care who 'that person' is..." Cheng Jun thought to himself as he spoke.

“I won’t even send it to my father! I was dismissed from my post voluntarily.”

Cheng Chumo nodded and said, "I understand. Others asked you to give up your official position, and you resigned voluntarily."

"But!" Cheng Chumo changed the subject, saying seriously, "Our Cheng family is not to be trifled with. In any case, our father must know about this first!"

Seeing that they wouldn't listen, Cheng Jun patiently said, "Let me finish."

Then he explained his plan in detail.

The two then realized, "Oh, I see. So you mean you can handle it yourself without our help?"

Cheng Jun nodded and said, "Yes."

Cheng Chumo and Cheng Chuliang exchanged a glance, then dropped the matter. Cheng Chumo said, "Let's go back inside and talk."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the sound of horses' hooves suddenly rang out in the distance.

Everyone turned around and saw Cheng Yaojin riding his horse toward them with a dark expression.

Upon seeing Cheng Jun's attire, Cheng Yaojin's already dark face darkened even further.

After Cheng Yaojin stopped his horse beside him, Cheng Chumo asked curiously, "Father, why are you back so early today?"

"I've come back to take a look." Cheng Yaojin dismounted, walked to Cheng Jun's side, sized him up, and said:

"I heard your official robes were stripped off, and I didn't believe it, but it's true."

As he spoke, he turned and glared at Cheng Chumo and Cheng Chuliang, and scolded them, "You two bastards, weren't you usually so shrewd? What are you doing standing here like this now!"

"Go, bring me my spear!"

Cheng Yaojin looked at Cheng Jun, and the thought of how his crimson official robe had disappeared filled him with rage. He gritted his teeth and said:

"I've already found out. It was Lu Ting, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, who led a group of people to impeach you before His Majesty."

"I'll go and string them together into a big skewer right now, and that'll give you some satisfaction!"

After Cheng Yaojin finished speaking, seeing that Cheng Chumo and Cheng Chuliang showed no sign of moving, he scolded them:

"What are you standing there for? Go on!"

Cheng Chumo shook his head and said, "I can't go."

Cheng Chuliang chimed in, "Yes, we're different from you!"

Cheng Yaojin raised an eyebrow and asked, "What do you mean?"

Cheng Chumo replied earnestly, "Because we're not stupid."

Cheng Yaojin angrily said, "Believe it or not, I'll string you all together into a big skewer first!"

Seeing that Old Cheng was starting to roll up his sleeves, Cheng Chumo decisively pointed at Cheng Jun and said:

"Father, Chu Xia did it on purpose."

Cheng Yaojin raised an eyebrow and looked at Cheng Jun.

Cheng Jun immediately explained the situation.

After listening, Cheng Yaojin remained silent for two seconds, then rolled up his sleeves and complained, "Why didn't you say so sooner?"

Cheng Jun chuckled dryly, "It happened so suddenly, I didn't have time to say anything."

"Moreover, it's not too late to say it now."

Cheng Yaojin frowned and said, "Ever since His Majesty dismissed you from your post, there hasn't been a single earthquake in the capital..."

Before the words were finished, everyone felt a sudden movement beneath their feet.

The three Cheng brothers all looked at Cheng Yaojin.

Cheng Yaojin breathed a sigh of relief and grinned:

"Let's go eat!"

.............

Ganlu Temple.

"Another earthquake..."

Li Shimin was absentmindedly looking at the memorials when he suddenly felt the dragon desk in front of him shake slightly, and he immediately smiled.

The next morning.

In the Cheng residence, Cheng Jun, having been dismissed from his official post and no longer required to attend court, lay on his bed, sleeping comfortably until the sun was high in the sky.

Meanwhile, at the palace gate, civil and military officials stood in small groups, holding their tablets, waiting for the time to begin court.

"Fuji, have you heard? Cheng Jun was dismissed from his post by His Majesty yesterday."

Changsun Wuji was standing with Fang Xuanling, waiting for the palace gates to open. Hearing Fang Xuanling's question, he turned to look at him, grunted, and said, "Yes, I've heard about it. Because of this, I even drank a jar of wine last night."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanling was somewhat speechless. "Why are you celebrating?"

Changsun Wuji looked at him and said, "Then what should we do? Should I cry for him again? Would that be too pathetic?"

Fang Xuanling glanced around, then whispered, "What I mean is, those people impeached Cheng Jun yesterday, getting His Majesty to dismiss him from his post. Today it might be your turn. You need to be careful..."

Changsun Wuji decisively waved his hand and said with a smile:

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"