In fact, Li Xiaogong did not trust Cheng Yaojin's promise.
At that time, Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, Niu Jinda and others took refuge with Li Mi in Wagang Mountain. After Li Mi's defeat, he attached himself to Wang Shichong. However, Wang Shichong was very suspicious and jealous. Qin Qiong and others felt that this was not a place where they could stay for a long time, so they fled and fled. Li Yuan.
Li Yuan placed him under the command of the King of Qin, and then followed the King of Qin to charge into battle and made countless meritorious deeds. It is reasonable to say that he was a real general of the "Tiance Mansion". However, during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, neither Qin Qiong nor Cheng Yaojin and Niu Jinda were able to follow the King of Qin. Li Shimin went into battle to kill the enemy and sniped Li Jiancheng. When the King of Qin ascended the throne and generously awarded rewards, the official titles of meritorious ministers were greatly improved, but Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin remained in their positions.
Ten years after Zhenguan, His Majesty Li Er intended to commemorate the honorable ministers of Zhenguan in Lingyan Pavilion. There were disagreements between the government and the public about who would be selected and how to rank, but almost without exception, both Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin were at the bottom...
The reason is precisely because Qin and Cheng originally defected to their great ancestor Li Yuan. Although they always fought with the King of Qin, they considered themselves ministers of Li Yuan. Due to their friendship with the King of Qin, they did not interfere with the battle to seize the rightful son, so they did nothing. aside.
Therefore, Cheng Yaojin has a "criminal record", and if he treats His Majesty Li Er like this, how can we easily believe his words of loyalty to Li Chengqian?
However, Cheng Yaojin has a great influence on the direction of the situation at the moment, so we can only believe it temporarily and wait and see the consequences.
…
Cheng Yaojin was very dissatisfied with Li Xiaogong's behavior of sowing discord in person, but Li Xiaogong was calm and said with a smile: "In terms of qualifications, merits, and abilities, Niu Jinda is enough to serve as the general of the Sixteenth Guards, but you have always been Holding him in your hands and not letting him go out alone will delay your future. Now, although the younger generation has begun to rise in the military, we old guys have not yet reached the time when our swords and guns are stored in the warehouse and our horses are released to the south. Someone should take on the important task and show our sense of existence. I will advise Your Majesty later, whether it is General Zuo Tunwei or General Zuo Houwei, we must find an opportunity for Lao Niu to show his ability. I spent half my life in the army licking blood with my sword in vain."
Is this considered sowing discord? Of course not, Niu Jinda is indeed worthy of the position of a general of the Sixteenth Guards.
For example, among Chai Zhewei and Yin Qinzhou, who can compare with Niu Jinda?
Cheng Yaojin glared at Li Xiaogong, then turned to look at Niu Jinda: "After this, I will resign to your majesty, and you will take over as General Zuo Wuwei."
Niu Jinda nodded matter-of-factly: "That's good."
Cheng Yaojin looked at Li Xiaogong again: "What does the prince think?"
Li Xiaogong looked at Cheng Yaojin, whose eyes were as wide as an ox's, and couldn't help but laugh. He couldn't control it, and he was out of breath from laughing.
Cheng Yaojin glared at Li Xiaogong angrily with a dark face, and Niu Jinda beside him also laughed "hehe".
Li Xiaogong gasped and patted Cheng Yaojin's shoulder, his eyes full of envy: "When I was young, I had great ambitions and pursued fame and fortune. When I got my wish and became successful, I suddenly realized that all the so-called successes were just a cloud of smoke. In a blink of an eye, Dissipate, only a little bit of friendship left in those years of military service will last forever and never fade away. It’s worth it to have a brother who treats you with sincerity and stays with you through life and death. It’s really enviable! "
Niu Jinda wiped his messy hedgehog-like beard and felt a little embarrassed: "I really don't dare to take such praise from the prince. I just have self-knowledge and know that I am not very smart. Rather than being deceived by others, I would rather be honest." As long as I am under the commander-in-chief’s command, I don’t think about much else.”
Li Xiaogong took a sip of tea and praised: "It is because of your complete trust in this guy that you follow him so wholeheartedly. This makes it even more precious."
Cheng Yaojin didn't appreciate it, and said angrily: "Does the prince have to provoke my two brothers to fight against each other and break up to make you happy?"
"Is this king such a treacherous person? Okay, your majesty's words have been brought and the task has been completed. I will go back and resume my life now."
Li Xiaogong stood up, straightened his robes, and said before mounting his horse: "Gong Lu, please take care of yourself."
Then he walked away surrounded by a group of soldiers.
Cheng and Niu stood under the awning, watching Li Xiaogong's figure disappear behind the drizzle of rain. Then they turned back to the stove and sat around it. Niu Jinda filled their teacups with tea and held the teacups. Take a sip.
Cheng Yaojin felt lost for a while, then suddenly said: "When this happens, you will take over the post of General Zuo Wuwei."
"puff!"
Niu Jinda burned his tongue, squirted out a mouthful of tea, and stared at Cheng Yaojin: "How could I ever have such thoughts? Even I can see such a simple sowing discord, but you want to fall into the trap?"
"Can I be more stupid than a stupid cow like you?"
Cheng Yaojin cursed angrily, took a sip of tea, and said: "This old bastard knows that there is no barrier between us brothers, but he still wants to sow discord, just because he is not sure whether I can stand up to him completely." Your Majesty is going to block the Xianyang Bridge, hoping to give you a psychological thorn... Just watch, if Your Majesty secures the throne after this mutiny, he will definitely transfer you from Zuowu Guard to weaken Zuowu Guard. Wei's power. Instead of just sitting there and waiting for death, I might as well retire and support you. With your qualifications and merits, it is more than enough to serve as this general. Besides, I wouldn't worry if so many old brothers were handed over to others. I happened to bring them all to you. , I can also go home happily, entertain my grandchildren, and take care of myself in my old age.”
He finally understood that His Majesty was indeed generous and kind, and would not liquidate him after the victory of the mutiny. However, he could not pretend that nothing had happened and continue to exercise military power with an old face, and simply retreated to give both sides a step. His Majesty's heart All the grudges disappeared, and the Cheng family's honor and favor became more stable.
Niu Jinda thought for a while and nodded: "Since the commander-in-chief said so, then the general will do it."
There was no need for polite words between him and Cheng Yaojin, let alone suspicion and testing of each other. Since Cheng Yaojin said that he wanted to hand over Zuo Wuwei to him and then retreat, that was naturally the case.
As for whether there were any other concerns or plans, he couldn't guess, and he didn't bother to guess...
"Let's go to Xianyang Bridge!"
Cheng Yaojin stood up with his hands on his knees, stretched out, and turned to look in the east direction of Chang'an City. His vision was blurred by mist and rain, and he couldn't see anything clearly.
"Let's meet with all the heroes in Guanzhong and see if these guys have used up all their previous bravery on women's bellies and can they still be able to use swords and kill people now!"
*****
The autumn rain is gurgling and the flowers and trees are rustling. In the jingshe on the side of Daji Hall, the floor is as smooth as a mirror. A withered lacquered eucalyptus table is placed in front of the window. Wei Wang Li Tai is wearing simple regular clothes and is sitting by the window, drinking tea.
Li You, Li Min, Li Yun, and Li Zhen were sitting with them. In front of the stove, Li Shen was obediently boiling water and making tea...
There is no servant in the monastery. It was a pleasant thing for the brothers to drink tea and chat, but now they are all worried, frowning, and quite restless.
After all, Li Zhi's rebels were fighting bloody battles outside the Wude Gate. Once they broke through the gate and broke into the Wude Palace, the emperor would certainly not end well, and everyone present would not be able to escape either.
He ascended to the throne as the third legitimate son, and his name is not justified and his words are not smooth. The best way to eliminate hidden dangers and calm public opinion is naturally to kill all the brothers who are ranked before him... The succession is ranked as King Jin. There is no one in front, so there is nothing wrong with King Jin's ascension to the throne.
At that time, the great ancestor Li Yuan inherited the title of "Tang Guogong" as the fourth son because all his brothers before him were dead, and then founded the Li Tang Empire...
Li Tai glanced over, snorted, and said: "Why are you so scared now? When the Guanlong rebellion happened, Changsun Wuji wanted to choose one of you to replace the crown prince. You guys Aren’t you still happily looking forward to reaching the sky in one step?”
When this topic was brought up, Li You felt embarrassed. He put down the tea cup, cupped his fists and handed over his hands, saying sorry: "It was my brother's mistake at the beginning, and he almost made a big mistake. I know my sin, and please don't mention it again, otherwise I will be ashamed of myself. "
Although the emperor's brother was generous and let the incident go, after all, it had already happened. If it was always mentioned by others, who knows if the emperor's brother would suddenly have a bad idea and settle the score with him one day?
Although Li Min is usually generous, he is not a fool. At this moment, he naturally understands the urgency of the situation. It would be fine if the emperor's brother secures the throne. Everyone will be prosperous and prosperous, but once the king of Jin counterattacks and takes the throne, he will definitely feel pain for these brothers. Killer.
Therefore, he said worriedly: "The two men in this house are always rebellious and have their eyes high. They say they are invincible in conquering the north and the west, but why can't they even annihilate the rebels? What if the pheasant slaves come in and kill them? Something bad will happen. !”
Li Zhen hesitated and said: "This...isn't it right? We are all brothers after all. Killing brothers is not honorable. He is not the father. When the world's public opinion is fierce, how can he secure the throne?"
Their father, His Majesty Li Er, had done this thing back then. He killed his brother and his brother under the Xuanwu sect. As a result, he was still reviled by the people in the world for the past twenty years, and he might be infamy for forever. That pheasant slave could never compare to his father in terms of literary talent or martial arts. Once he did such a thing, there would be endless troubles.
Li Min glanced at Li Zhen with an expression like a fool: "Of course the pheasant slave will not do it himself, but if the rebels rush in and kill everyone indiscriminately, who knows who is who when we are trapped in the chaos? Even if we take a step back, in the future some of us may die of serious illness, die unexpectedly, or intend to rebel... Then why don't we just follow what others do?"
Li You and Li Zhen's faces were pale and they were trembling with fear. The current situation looked extremely unfavorable to the emperor's brother. What if they really let the pheasant slaves succeed?
Death is coming...
