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

Chapter 654 Dragon City Flying General
For example, the eldest son could be asked to support the crown prince, or the sins committed by the second son could be forgiven.

If he stayed out of it, no matter whether the King of Shu succeeded to the throne or the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he would not have a good ending.

At this time, the prince's recommendation was obviously a gesture of goodwill and solicitation. He could refuse it, but he had to decline it tactfully in private. If he turned it down in court, it would be tantamount to embarrassing the prince in public. Not only would the prince lose face, but even the ministers and the emperor would think he was unkind.

People recommended your son, but not only did you not appreciate it, you also slapped them in the face in public. I'm afraid you will have no place in this court in the future.

In this way, Cheng Yaojin missed the best opportunity to refuse due to his dilemma.

Li Ke watched Cheng Yaojin for a long time without making any movement, and secretly glanced at him a few times. Cheng Yaojin lowered his head, looking as if it was none of his business. Li Ke thought to himself, could it be that because of Cheng Huailiang's matter, Cheng Yaojin has already defected to the prince?

Yes, that must be the case, otherwise why would the prince recommend Cheng Huaimo.

Although Cheng Yaojin had once attempted to murder the prince at his instigation, he dared not tell anyone about this matter. Once he did, Cheng Yaojin might not be dead, but he would be. Murdering his elder brother who was held hostage was against the will of heaven, and all the ministers would dislike him.

Not to mention fighting for the crown prince position, even the King of Shu can't keep it.

Li Ke could no longer bear it. He could not let the prince push Cheng Huaimo to the stage in his own name. Not only would the 5,000 imperial guards of Zuotunwei be gone, but Cheng Yaojin would also be won over by him. Even if it was to disrupt their approach, he could not sit idly by.

Thinking of this, Li Ke stepped forward and said, "Father, what the Crown Prince said makes sense. However, a great war with the Turks is about to begin. This is a good opportunity for Huai Mo to make achievements. Besides, the border also needs a large number of experienced soldiers. It is a pity to leave such a brave general in Chang'an."

"Therefore, I recommend Chai Zhewei, the son of Duke Huo, to take over the post of Lieutenant General of the Left Guard Yifu."

Seeing the two princes competing with each other, the other ministers kept silent, including Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji and Cen Wenben.

Li Shimin waited for a while, and when he saw that no one else recommended candidates, the Crown Prince and the King of Shu both came forward, and he smiled slightly: "Cheng Huaimo has been following Zhijie in Dingxiang for many years and has done a great job. Chai Zhewei also made great contributions in escorting the King of Shu on his last diplomatic mission. Both of them are good."

"Xuanling, you are the Zuo Pushe. Your opinion is also very important in the appointment and dismissal of officials. What is your opinion?"

Fang Xuanling immediately knew that Li Shimin was in a difficult situation. Perhaps he did not want to settle down for the time being and wanted to wait for the two princes to fight each other?
So he hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, both generals are young heroes, but the Zuotun Guard is still in Beiyuan for rectification, and the situation is complicated. I suggest that we wait until the rectification is completed. Please understand your majesty."

"Well, Xuanling is right. I am a little anxious."

Li Shimin took advantage of the situation and temporarily put the position aside: "Well, after the court is dismissed, think about it carefully and we will discuss this matter later."

The court discussed this point, on the one hand because appointing anyone would offend people, and on the other hand, Li Shimin also wanted to leave the position between the two princes and let the Crown Prince and the King of Shu compete for it.

Of course, considerations of power balance are not the most important.

The most important thing is that while Li Shimin was worrying about state affairs, he also invested a lot of energy in the crown prince. He did so much, ostensibly for the balance of power, but in fact, it was also to create an opponent, find some trouble, and train the crown prince.

As a powerful emperor who emerged from troubled times, Li Shimin knew very well that an outstanding emperor could not be raised in a greenhouse. Only on the battlefield, with countless enemies and opponents, difficulties and hardships could a tough emperor who could not be defeated or broken be forged.

Li Ke thought he had a chance, but he didn't know that in Li Shimin's eyes, cultivating the crown prince and selecting an outstanding future monarch for the Tang Dynasty was the top priority, which was even more important than defeating Jie Li.

Before the crown prince showed that he was incapable of this position, both Li Ke and Li Tai were just grinding stones, with no chance of replacing him. Li Yan had been shrinking himself, thinking that Li Shimin was afraid that his growing power would threaten him, mainly because of the old experience he had accumulated during the Nine Dragons' struggle for the throne during the Qing Dynasty.

Li Shimin, who was even more wise, decisive and ambitious, was not afraid of the crown prince's ability at all. Instead, he was more afraid that the crown prince was too weak and unable to shoulder the heavy burden of the Tang Dynasty.

This is the level that Li Yan has not yet realized. He is still thinking about developing in a low-key and sneaky way. It must be said that old experience sometimes backfires.

After discussing state affairs for a while, the court was adjourned and everyone left the Taiji Hall, walking out of the palace in groups of three or four.

Not long after Li Yan returned to the East Palace, a guard came to report: "Your Highness, Duke Lu Cheng Yaojin wants to see you."

"Please ask Duke Lu to come to Chongren Hall. I will be there soon!" Li Yan's mouth curled up slightly, and a look of success appeared on his face. This old man must be annoyed by me. Last time when I was at his house to mourn Cheng Huailiang, Li Yan showed his good intentions once. This time, in order to make things difficult for Li Ke, he got him out again. If this goes on, it won't be long before Cheng Yaojin returns to the border before the bereavement leave expires, avoiding this troubled place in the capital.

In fact, Li Yan had known for a long time that because of the events of the ninth year of Wude, Cheng Yaojin's forces were destined to be either his enemy or his ally. His past made it impossible for him to stay out of it like others. This is what it means when you enter the world of martial arts, it is difficult to extricate yourself.

I guess Old Man Cheng is now regretting his impulsive behavior in the ninth year of Wude!
Instead of living in fear all day long, it would be better for him to be determined to join me. When I ascend the throne, I will leave the title to my eldest son who is devoted to supporting me. Maybe that would be a good ending?
Li Yan was enjoying a little tune and leisurely came to Chongren Hall. He saw Cheng Yaojin still wearing the official robe he wore when attending court, sitting absent-mindedly on the chair, and the tea beside him was not even touched.

"Oh, General Cheng, the court just ended. How come you have time to come here?" Li Yan greeted with a smile.

Cheng Yaojin's rough face forced a smile: "Your Highness came to my humble home to pay tribute to my son last time, and I have always wanted to come and thank you, but later on, there were many trivial matters at home, and the crown prince was busy repairing the Yongtong Canal, so I didn't dare to be presumptuous."

"Today in the court, the prince is worried about Huai Mo again. If I don't come to thank him, it would be too ignorant of human nature and justice."

Li Yan waved his hand and sighed, "I also know about the general's family affairs. Huailiang is so young, it's really a pity for his talent! Those damned people in the old East Palace are really stubborn and stubborn. They have ulterior motives and evil intentions. If Huailiang hadn't protected my third brother from the disaster, maybe my third brother would have been the one who died in the end."

"It is precisely because of this that I recommended Brother Huai Mo to the Emperor. First, it is to make up for Huai Liang's sacrifice for the Tang Dynasty. Second, I really want Brother Huai Mo to return to Beijing to serve. The border is in a dangerous situation. General Cheng also knows that the Emperor will launch a northern expedition this winter and next spring."

"This battle is a battle between the Central Plains and the grasslands for the control of the world. There will certainly be countless soldiers who will be killed. I wonder how many people will die? I really can't bear it. The general just lost Huailiang, and if Huaimo suffers another mishap, how can the general and his wife bear it!"

As soon as Li Yan finished speaking, Cheng Yaojin had to stand up and bow, saying, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince has good intentions and cares about me. I would like to thank you on behalf of my son!"

"General, what are you doing? Get up quickly. Cheng Qian is young, how can he accept your great gift?"

Cheng Yaojin now just felt that Li Yan was trying hard to win him over. Ever since the prince recommended his eldest son to take over the post of General of the Left Guard, he no longer had any doubts about the death of his second son. But this did not mean that he could accept it calmly.

So he said with an embarrassed and apologetic look: "The Crown Prince's love and care, logically speaking, this old minister should not refuse."

"To be honest with you, Your Highness, Huai Mo has been preparing for the attack on the Turks for the past few years. Seeing that the war is about to start, he wants to return to the rear and become a coward. I know that my son will probably never forgive himself in his life."

"Your Highness, for those of us who are generals, the battlefield is the real stage of our lives. We raise soldiers for a thousand days and use them in a moment. As a general, how painful it is to watch the war about to begin but not be able to participate!"

"Uh"

Li Yan was stunned and frowned, looking at Cheng Yaojin standing in front of him with his hands clasped and his head lowered. Li Yan's heart moved slightly, and the Eye of Truth was activated instantly. A hot current rushed from his chest to his eyebrows. There was a flash of light in his eyes, and he saw a white light on Cheng Yaojin's head, and there was no black light representing hatred and malice.

After a moment, his magical powers were retracted and Li Yan felt relieved.

It seems that he did not suspect himself of Cheng Huailiang's death. His refusal was mainly from the perspective of staying out of it and not wanting to get involved in the dispute among the princes.

In the face of Cheng Yaojin's trepidation, Li Yan nodded slightly: "The general and his son have lofty ambitions, and their loyalty to serving the Tang Dynasty is as bright as the scorching sun. I didn't consider it carefully."

After Li Yan finished speaking, he stood up and said to Xue Rengui who was guarding outside, "Rengui, go to my study and get me the poem "Out of the Frontier"."

"Yes, Your Highness." Xue Rengui left in a hurry.

About a cup of tea later, Xue Rengui came up with a scroll. Li Yan took it and turned to give it to Cheng Yaojin.

"General, please take a look?"

Under the other party's puzzled eyes, Li Yan slowly unfolded his poem in front of Cheng Yaojin, and suddenly a magnificent poem appeared in front of him: "The bright moon in Qin and the pass in Han, the people have not returned from the long march of thousands of miles; but if the flying general of Longcheng is here, the Hu horses will not be allowed to cross Yinshan Mountain."

Li Yan wrote Wang Changling's poem seventy years later in advance and shamelessly added his own name to the end of it.

(End of this chapter)