The film and television world begins with the battle for the throne in Kowloon

Chapter 643: Yao Jin's Test
Cheng Yaojin and his wife personally guarded the mourning hall and responded to the greetings of each visitor. No matter who came, they would have a brief conversation to comfort them.

"His Royal Highness the King of Shu has arrived!"

A loud shout was heard from outside, and Cheng Yaojin's face suddenly fell. His own son helped him build the canal, but when he went to Chang'an for a court meeting, something happened to his son.

Cheng You said that if the King of Shu had not told his son to prepare for the reward in advance, his son would not have put on his armor neatly on the construction site. If not, his son might have fallen into the water and would not have lost his life.
The incident in Jingzhou in the ninth year of Wude was also instigated by the King of Shu to do it, which caused Cheng Yaojin to guard the border with his two sons in fear for three or four years. Cheng Yaojin was not good at talking but was not reliable in doing things. He was deeply dissatisfied with Li Ke for involving his family in the dispute among the kings.

Li Ke had specially asked the emperor for permission today to pay his respects. Having not seen him for several days, Li Ke looked much more haggard. After offering incense respectfully.

Li Ke came to Cheng Yaojin and said with a heavy face: "Uncle Cheng, it's all my fault for not taking good care of Huailiang..."

“…My condolences!”

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Cheng Yaojin returned the salute expressionlessly, in a businesslike manner, but Li Ke still clearly felt a deep sense of rejection and alienation.

Li Ke knew very well that with Cheng Huailiang's death, the relationship between Cheng Yaojin and the Shu Palace would probably change a lot. The other person's son lost his life, so he had to bear some responsibility. Not only did he fail to win over Cheng Yaojin, a senior general in the army, but he also made the relationship even more strained.

Looking at the cold looks from the Cheng family towards him, Li Ke sighed. He knew that this kind of thing could only be resolved with time. Now that the Cheng family was in grief, he could only let it go for the time being.

However, Li Ke was not too worried. Cheng Yaojin and he were on the same boat. The events of the ninth year of Wude were a common secret between the two of them, and they had long been tied together. Now Cheng Yaojin was immersed in the grief of losing his son. After this period of time passed, he would try to win him over, and the Cheng family would not be able to escape.

After thinking this through, Li Ke said nothing more. He bowed and turned away.

At noon, Li Yan also arrived. He came as the Crown Prince representing Li Shimin.

If Cheng Yaojin had died, Li Shimin would definitely have come in person, but since he was just a young son and not the eldest son, it was not worthy for the emperor to come in person.

"Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

As soon as Li Yan entered the hall, all the people of the Cheng family, whether they were masters or servants and maids, knelt down on the ground. In addition to the fact that Li Yan himself was the crown prince, more importantly, Li Yan came today on behalf of the emperor, which was a great honor.

Li Yan's face was calm, and he stepped forward with a serious expression to light three incense sticks and worship. After three worlds, Li Yan had already adapted to the ancient living environment. Being at the core of power, he didn't care much about human life. He didn't feel the slightest bit of emotion about Cheng Huailiang, who was indirectly killed by him.

After the worship, I just turned around!
"This old minister pays respect to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Cheng Yaojin was seen kneeling down like pushing a golden mountain and overturning a jade pillar. He did not clasp his fist on one knee, but kowtowed on both knees and knelt on the ground.

Li Yan's eyes narrowed, and he suddenly felt a sense of crisis coming towards him, and his mind began to think quickly.

With Cheng Yaojin's status, even if he represented the emperor, he was not the emperor after all, so Cheng Yaojin did not need to perform such a great ceremony. As a prince, Li Yan could not afford this courtesy for the time being, especially since he was still in mourning, so it was understandable that he did not kneel when he saw the emperor.

The dead are the greatest, and this greatness is not just talk, it has real meaning.

It was very strange that Cheng Yaojin, a senior duke of the first rank and a senior general in the army, gave such a great gift to his young prince.

Li Yan knew that Cheng Yaojin was apologizing for the incident in the ninth year of Wude by using the prince as a representative of the emperor to pay his respects. Of course, there might be a deeper meaning, which was a test. Cheng Yaojin was testing whether Li Yan knew the truth of the incident.

Li Yan knew that he could only pretend to be ignorant about this matter, otherwise, this matter would become a thorn between the two of them. One would not forget it, and the other would not believe that the other would forget it. Over time, Cheng Yaojin would slowly become his enemy, or even his mortal enemy.

Since I can't resolve it, I might as well kill you, that'll also solve the problem!
How could Li Yan not know this truth? So he could not admit it, nor could he let Cheng Yaojin know that he knew the inside story, otherwise Cheng Huailiang's affairs might be related to him.

Many thoughts flashed through his mind, but Li Yan's hands did not pause at all. Seeing this, he hurriedly stepped forward with a panicked look on his face to help Cheng Yaojin up: "Duke Lu, you must not do this. I am only here on behalf of my father. It is enough for them to kneel. The old general is a meritorious official of the Tang Dynasty. He is treated with courtesy in front of my father. How can you show such a great courtesy to a junior like me?"

"Cheng Qian really can't afford it, get up quickly!"

Li Yan called out to the others in the hall: "Everyone, please stand up. Today's situation is special, so there's no need to be polite." After that, Li Yan controlled his expression, took Cheng Yaojin's hand eagerly, and said with regret: "Speaking of which, not long ago, Brother Huailiang was promoted to the position of General of the Left Guard, and I said a few words for him in front of my father?"

"Otherwise, the Shu King and his party will probably be rewarded with 500 households by the Emperor."

After saying this, Li Yan glanced at Cheng Yaojin and said in a flattering manner, "Originally, I was thinking about getting in touch with Brother Huailiang more often in the future. We are all young people. Although Huailiang has a good relationship with the King of Shu, it won't affect making more friends, right?"

"Who would have thought that I would be a little busy with things at hand recently, and I would not see Brother Huailiang again. Brother Huailiang was so young, but he suffered such a disaster. It's my third brother's fault. If the King of Shu had paid more attention, perhaps such an accident would not have happened."

"The Tang Dynasty has lost a rising star. It's really a pity that such a talented person was so envious!"

After saying that, he looked at Cheng Yaojin with anticipation.

Cheng Yaojin looked at Li Yan deeply, and said with a bow, "My son has told me about these things. I had planned to take my son to thank Your Highness when I returned to Beijing, but I didn't expect such an accident to happen. However, Huailiang died while repairing the Yongtong Canal, and the emperor also conferred the title of Marquis of Pingyuan on him posthumously. He will be forever enshrined in the Zhonglie Temple. Your Highness doesn't have to be sad!"

Li Yan nodded in satisfaction, then saw a child of about 11 or 12 years old beside Mrs. Cheng Yaojin and asked, "Uncle, this is your youngest son, right? I think he is quite smart and cute. Is he still studying?"

Cheng Yaojin quickly replied, "Your Highness has a good eye. This is my youngest son, Cheng Huaibi. He is eleven years old this year. The mansion has hired a private tutor who teaches him all day long."

"Well, these kids need a good environment to study."

Li Yanyan said suggestively, "I didn't like reading before, but later I recruited a lot of readers of the same age in the East Palace, and then I found reading interesting. Even my father and mother praised me for my great progress."

After saying this, he looked at Cheng Yaojin and his wife with sparkling eyes. Li Yan's meaning was very clear, that is, Huaibi could be sent to the East Palace to study. Even Mrs. Cheng understood the prince's implication, but she was a woman, and since Li Yan appeared, she had not said a word except for bowing.

Such a major event had to be decided by Cheng Yaojin, so he looked at Cheng Yaojin with a questioning look.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is a son of a dragon and a grandson of a phoenix. He is naturally intelligent and wise. How can my son compare to him?"

Cheng Yaojin naturally understood the prince's intention to win him over. After hesitating for a moment, he tactfully refused: "However, Your Highness is right. I also have many young men in my family who study together. Every day, the sound of a group of children reading aloud makes me, an uneducated person, feel that it is true!"

“Oh, that’s good.”

Li Yan looked at them awkwardly, smacked his lips, put away the smile on his face, and said with a straight face: "Today I brought my father to visit the general, and I have brought my father's thoughts. The Duke's family is busy with affairs and has to entertain guests, so I will not disturb you."

After saying this, he was about to leave. Cheng Yaojin hurriedly said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace and your concern. Please walk slowly. I will see you off!"

Afterwards, Cheng Yaojin personally escorted Li Yan out of the mansion. After watching Li Yan ride away on his horse, he heaved a sigh of relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted, as if his soul had completely relaxed.

Li Yan's guess was correct. Cheng Yaojin was testing Li Yan by being respectful in front and crouching in the back.

But Li Yan's performance was just as Cheng Yaojin knew, solid, dull and a little rigid. In front of Cheng Huailiang's mourning hall, he began to sow discord and flatter Cheng Yaojin, without caring about the occasion and without disguising himself.

He also kept hinting that he could send the youngest son to the Eastern Palace, and from then on their relationship would be further enhanced.

After Cheng Yaojin refused, he immediately frowned, showing his intentions on his face. The title changed from Duke of Lu to General, from General to Uncle, and then back to Duke of General, which vividly showed a frivolous, superficial, careless, and quick-success-seeking reckless boy.

No wonder Huai Liang has always said that the prince is stupid, timid and cowardly by nature, and may not be able to rule the country. He is not as wise and intelligent as the King of Shu, who has extraordinary military strategies. In the future, the world will definitely belong to the King of Shu.

After seeing him today, Cheng Yaojin was completely relieved. It was impossible for such a mediocre prince to hide the truth and get rid of his son quietly without leaving any clues, so that all the wise ministers in the court would not notice any trace.

As soon as he entered the door, Cheng Yaojin was paying attention to Li Yan the whole time. From beginning to end, including the look in his eyes, Li Yan did not show any abnormality.

Cheng Yaojin was confident that a thirteen-year-old boy could not hide such a thing from his own eyes.

(End of this chapter)