The Cheng Chumo brothers also hurried back. This time, Li Xiang showed his prowess on the plateau. The two brothers really regretted their time in Chang'an. If they had known it would be like this, they would have followed Li Xiang no matter what. Isn't that shameless? How can such a small thing really stump us?
Unfortunately, Li Xiang had enough people around him at that time, and Cheng Yaojin would not allow them to go. You two already have your own status. Even if your contributions are great, you probably won’t be able to get promoted at your current age. It’s better for you to stay in Chang'an City honestly.
"Father-in-law, during this Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo, none of you old men took action?"
After three cups of wine, people here started to speak more casually. Just now at Changsun Wuji's place, Li Xiang had to do things in a very strict manner, so he felt a little uncomfortable all over. But when he came to Cheng Yaojin's place, he didn't care so much. After all, Cheng Yaojin was a rough man, and he was even shirtless when he was drunk, not to mention these younger generations in the family. Anyway, the women had all gone in, so it was just the four of them drinking here.
When Li Xiang said this, the two Cheng brothers also pricked up their ears and listened. Although they also wanted to get some information from their father, Cheng Yaojin knew that these two guys were not careful with their mouths, so he usually didn't say anything. However, with the arrival of Li Xiang, the news gradually leaked out, and there was no need to keep it so strictly.
"Your Majesty is on an eastern expedition to Goguryeo, and he needs his own talents in every area. Do you think he can trust you?"
Cheng Yaojin picked up a peanut. This thing was not common in the Tang Dynasty. It was specially cultivated by Li Xiang. If it were to appear according to the normal time, it would have to wait for hundreds of years. Now he can enjoy it in advance. According to what Li Xiang said, drinking white wine and eating peanuts is so comfortable.
At the beginning, people in Chang'an City were not used to it, but later they got used to it. If they had some white wine without peanuts, they would feel a little uncomfortable. Of course, the price of this thing is also very expensive, almost one penny per peanut.
Although the price of grain in Chang'an City has increased, one cent can still buy one and a half pounds of grain. Ordinary people do not have the appetite to eat one and a half pounds of grain in one mouth. Only the rich and powerful can enjoy this.
Thinking about what Cheng Yaojin said, the three young men nodded. Although Li Shimin often encouraged the younger generations, if we talk about the people he trusted, it was probably Cheng Yaojin and his group of old brothers. When he left the capital, these people had to stay in the capital. Except for General Li Jing, none of the rest moved. General Qin Qiong was on the Tuyuhun grassland, helping the entire Tang Dynasty to guard the southwest. The rest of the people also began to mobilize for the sake of peace in the rear.
"Niu Jinda and I have a good relationship. If you have any questions, just go to him directly. Su Dingfang's kid is also fine. You have to give me some face at least."
Cheng Yaojin knew that the relationship between these two generals and Li Xiang was average, and at most they would just meet. If it were in the past, Cheng Yaojin could have invited these two people and then introduced them very solemnly. Unfortunately, this was not possible in the current situation. If he did so now, he would definitely be accused of forming a clique. If the emperor wanted to take advantage of the situation, Cheng Yaojin would have nothing to fear, but he would just not implicate Li Xiang.
"My father is right. If there is anything Your Highness cannot handle, just send my eldest brother."
Cheng Chuliang said with a smile at the side. Li Xiang felt that there was something wrong. He looked up and saw Cheng Chumo's blushing face. Cheng Chumo had been engaged, but later his wife died of illness. Cheng Yaojin found another one for him, and that person was Niu Jinda's concubine sister.
Niu Jinda went out to fight in the war and lost contact with his family. Later, his entire family died in the war. Who knew that he had a concubine's sister who was raised by relatives. Of course, her age was much younger than Niu Jinda's. Later, when Niu Jinda learned about this, he asked someone to bring her to the capital.
Niu Jinda also wanted to find a good man in Chang'an City, but everyone looked down on his illegitimate status, so it was delayed. It happened that Cheng Chumo's wife died, so someone acted as a matchmaker. Niu Jinda also wanted to have a helper within the army, so he agreed to the marriage.
"Get out of here! You don't know what Niu Jinda is like. He's a very strict person, especially when it comes to military affairs. Don't expect him to give you a backdoor."
Cheng Yaojin said unhappily that he had been in the army for a long time and knew very well what kind of tempers these Tang Dynasty generals had. According to their contributions to the Tang Dynasty, Niu Jinda and Cheng Yaojin were not much different, but Niu Jinda and Cheng Yaojin were in different positions now because of their different relationships with Li Shimin.
If Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan, were the emperor, Niu Jinda's position might be similar to Cheng Yaojin's. But now it is Li Shimin who is in power, and he will of course promote his own people. Naturally, Cheng Yaojin and his old brothers will rise in status. Why did they fight so hard to cause the Xuanwu Gate Incident? On the one hand, it was for Li Shimin, and on the other hand, it was for their own good future. Niu Jinda did not participate in this incident, so how could he share the credit?
"We don't need a backdoor when marching to war. In fact, as long as you don't cause trouble for me on the battlefield, it's fine. I'm just a deputy general this time, but I don't even know what team I'm leading."
When Li Xiang said this, he deliberately looked at Cheng Yaojin next to him. This is the rule in the Tang Dynasty. If you brought a group of soldiers last time, then this time will definitely be different from the last time. As for which part you will be assigned to, it depends on the old men in the army.
"Don't look at me. If you can be flexible, I can put all my men in there for you. The people you bring this time should be pretty good, but you have to be careful with some of them. Be careful with the King of Wu's men."
The smile on Cheng Yaojin's face has disappeared. Everyone knows what happened in the hall. Although Li Xiang did not compete with King Wu, according to the emperor's wishes, the two must be the protagonists of the competition, so Cheng Yaojin made this reminder. But King Wu has never had military power, so what's the point of being wary of his people?
Li Xiang knew that this was one of the reasons why Cheng Yaojin reminded him...