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

Chapter 668 Return to the East Palace
Li Shimin snorted coldly: "Humph, it is indeed that rebellious son. At such a young age, he is so cruel and ruthless, and he doesn't care about the feelings of his brothers. It's really hateful."

Sure enough, these generals were worried and confused all day long, and after a long time, they would do irrational things, which further strengthened Li Shimin's determination to appease Cheng Yaojin.

When Cheng Yaojin heard this, he suddenly felt a very strange feeling in his heart. "Your Majesty, second brother, don't you often say that the King of Shu is a 'brave and reckless person'? Like father, like son. If the top beam is not straight, the bottom beam will be crooked. The King of Shu is very young, but he has the style of his father. Isn't this what he learned from you? He has no mercy on his brothers and sisters!"

The expression on Cheng Yaojin's face became a little distorted at this time. Afraid that Li Shimin would see through him, he quickly lay on the ground, gritted his teeth, put his forehead on the ground, and quickly adjusted his expression.

After Li Shimin cursed, he took a deep breath when he saw Cheng Yaojin lying on the ground and pleading guilty. "Forget it, it's all over. I know the truth about this matter even if you don't tell me. It's almost the same as what I guessed. You guys don't even want to get involved in the affairs between me and Jiancheng, so how can you get involved in the affairs between the crown prince and the King of Shu?"

"You were bewitched by those young people and lost your mind. Fortunately, the prince is blessed by heaven and has returned safely."

"Zhijie, I don't want the things of the older generation to happen again in the next generation. The prince is loyal and righteous, filial to his parents, friendly to his brothers, and tolerant to the people. I am very pleased. I have specifically told Xuanling and Fuji about this matter. No one should mention it again in the future. Just treat it as a misunderstanding and let him disappear in the dust of history like Luo Yi!"

Li Shimin helped Cheng Yaojin up again: "After the Bianqiao Alliance, you took Huailiang away from Chang'an. I knew that you would regret your impulsive behavior when you calmed down. In the past few years, you have been hiding from me and not coming back to Chang'an because of these two things, right?"

"I know all about these two things. If you feel guilty, I will pardon you. Don't take it so seriously in the future. Forget it, put down your burdens, and go into battle lightly. Let's join forces to defeat Jie Li and leave a peaceful and prosperous world for future generations!"

Seeing Cheng Yaojin's mood recover, Li Shimin smiled and said, "Originally, I had not made up my mind about setting up Dingxiang Road, but the prince's persuasion yesterday made me determined, and the prince also recommended you to be the chief military officer."

"It seems that the prince is sincere to you!"

How could Cheng Yaojin not understand that Li Shimin made the matter clear so that he would remember the prince's kindness and let go of the past and serve the prince wholeheartedly.

This is good, after this incident, I can be more inclined to the prince without any scruples, and don't have to worry about breaking taboos like other generals.
So he immediately stood up, and with tears in his eyes, he said: "I am ashamed of my duty to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince treats me like this. From now on, I will be loyal to the Emperor and support the Crown Prince. If I have any second thoughts, the Heaven will not bless me."

"Well, I believe you, Zhijie, you have always been a loyal minister!"

After Li Shimin finished discussing these two things, the two put their worries aside and began to discuss the Northern Expedition to the Turks this winter.

Li Shimin took Cheng Yaojin to a military map of the north of Guannei Road, pointed to the area around Yunzhong and said, "Zhijie, Dingxiang and the Turkic tents are far apart, and it is the best forward base for the Northern Expedition Army. You must make advance preparations for the army. The nearby mountains and rivers, as well as some important military locations, must be seized immediately once the war begins to seize the initiative in the battle."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I know the seriousness of this matter."

After untying the knot in his heart, Cheng Yaojin seemed to have put down the heavy stone in his heart, and said with a clear mind and no distractions: "Look here, and here, once winter comes and the river freezes, the Turkic cavalry can just march across the river, and the original camp will become useless."

"So I plan to gather these places together and set up a military stronghold here to cut off the Turkic army."

Cheng Yaojin was also very clear. He knew the terrain of the Yunzhong and Dingxiang areas very well and kept introducing the situation. The emperor and his minister talked to each other and slowly supplemented Li Shimin's mental plan for the war.

In the afternoon, Li Yanzheng, Xue Rengui, Wang Xuance and other servants in the Eastern Palace were playing Cuju in the small horse field of the Eastern Palace. Suddenly, a guard ran to the training ground and whispered something to Heng Lian who was standing nearby and watching with great interest. Heng Lian's face changed. Cheng Yaojin was an important general in the army and should not be underestimated.

Regardless of the intense competition between the two sides, he rushed into the field, passed through the crowd, and trotted after Li Yan, saying, "Your Highness, General Cheng Yaojin and his son want to see you."

Li Yan stopped, panting, and wiped the sweat off his face.

Heng Lian's voice was loud, and many people heard it. A group of people gathered around him, looking excited, and said in unison: "General Cheng is the commander-in-chief of the Dingxiang Road Army appointed by the Emperor. How could he come to visit Your Highness?"

"Your Highness, the court is about to start a war with the Turks. We are all skilled in martial arts, and it is time for us to serve the court. Your Highness, why don't you say hello to General Cheng and let us go to the front line to kill the enemy and make contributions for Your Highness?"

Someone in the crowd said something, and everyone else looked eager to try. They surrounded Li Yan and said bravely, "Yes! Your Highness, we study and practice martial arts every day in the East Palace, isn't it just for the purpose of being able to fight and die on the battlefield when the court needs us one day?"

"We know that Your Highness is worried about our danger, but we are not afraid of death. We are only afraid that we cannot serve the court and make achievements for Your Highness." "Your Highness, we must fight on the battlefield so that others will not look down on our East Palace."

Seeing that the young men in front of him were all excited, Li Yan smiled slightly: "Okay, I know what you are thinking. I will meet General Cheng later to test his attitude. General Cheng is in a hurry and can't wait for long."

"You guys continue to play, I'll be back soon"

Li Yan called two guards to fill their seats and asked everyone to continue the competition. He called Xue Rengui and Wang Xuance to go to Chongren Hall to meet the guests.

Wang Xuance quickly handed over the towel in his hand. Li Yan took it, rubbed it on his face, and threw it to Wang Xuance.

Wang Xuance's heart skipped a beat. Ever since the day of archery in the training ground, Wang Xuance no longer dared to underestimate Li Yan. He felt like a small loach jumping in a small pond seeing a big river and felt his own insignificance. Instead, Wang Xuance restrained his previous youthful edge and became calm and steady.

When facing Li Yan, he was cautious in his words and actions, and observed carefully, with his whole mind on Li Yan. After a long time, Wang Xuance really found that he knew more about the prince, and his every word, smile, and mood swings were all in Wang Xuance's mind.

Just like the commotion just now, the prince was smiling on the surface, and unlike the enthusiastic atmosphere seen by others, Wang Xuance's eyes and energy were not distracted at all, and he was paying full attention to the prince. He was very keen to notice that when everyone was clamoring for the prince to recommend himself to Cheng Yaojin to go to the front line.

There was an obvious flash of displeasure in the prince's eyes. With this question in mind, after handing over the towel, Wang Xuance became even more certain that the prince was unhappy.

So when they went to Chongren Hall, Wang Xuance did not find a topic to chat with them as he did in the past. He just followed silently, wondering why the prince was unhappy.
At this time, Li Yan seemed to be unaware. He turned his head and looked at Xue Rengui, who was standing beside him with a solemn face and alertly staring at the surroundings in the East Palace, as if he would never pay attention to himself. He smiled and teased, "Rengui, they all want to go to the front line to serve the country. Why don't you ask me? Don't you want to display your martial arts and make achievements on the battlefield?"

Xue Rengui was stunned, then frowned and hesitated for a while, then said seriously: "I want to, but I have to protect His Highness."

Li Yan's expression remained unchanged, but the smile in his eyes became even stronger. He said, "You are useless. There are so many people in my East Palace, and I still need your protection."

Xue Rengui's old face turned red and he scratched his head awkwardly, not knowing how to respond.

Wang Xuance, who was watching all this from the side, gave a meaningful look at the somewhat dull Xue Rengui, and thought to himself, Xue Rengui is indeed the first talent the prince has recruited. He has a pure heart that is loyal to his master, and he has won the prince's satisfaction.

This person probably has a bright future!
Chongren Hall was not far from the small parade ground. After just a few words, we arrived at our destination.
"I'm sorry, General Cheng!"

Li Yan came to the reception room in a suit. As soon as he stepped into the door, he said enthusiastically, "I and a group of servants were playing Cuju. Halfway through, we heard the guards come to report that General Cheng was coming."

"I was so eager to see you, General, that I didn't have time to change my clothes. Please forgive me, General."

Cheng Yaojin's mood at this moment was like the sun after the rain, and he was refreshed as if he was ten years younger. He laughed and said, "Old Cheng is not a guest. Coming to Your Highness's place is like coming to my own home. Your Highness, please don't be polite. The more casual Your Highness is, the more comfortable Old Cheng will feel."

"Well said, General!"

Li Yan turned around and told Heng Lian, "When General Cheng comes to the East Palace in the future, please come in directly. If I am in the training ground, I will take you there and exercise together."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Henglian responded with a smile, knowing that this was one of his own. As the chief guard of the Eastern Palace appointed by the emperor, Henglian's future was closely tied to the fate of the prince. They prospered together and suffered together. Seeing the prince's power growing stronger and stronger, he was also happy.

"General Cheng, please have some tea." After asking the maid to serve tea, Heng Lian stepped aside.

Xue Rengui and Wang Xuance said nothing, and stood behind Henglian near the palace door, ready to serve at any time.
Cheng Yaojin smiled and nodded. This time was completely different from the last time. This time he had the emperor's permission and came as a member of the Eastern Palace. He no longer had any resentment in his heart.

(End of this chapter)