Chapter 176: The Tacit Understanding Between Chen Yan and Li Shimin

"Dad, you're back?"

Cheng Chumo and his younger brother, who had already received the news, and Cui Clan were overjoyed to see the familiar figure stepping into the doorway.

"Hmm, I'm back." Cheng Yaojin seemed to be pondering, waved his hand casually, and went to sit at the front of the main hall.

Seeing this, Cui Clan did not ask further, but instead said, "Old Cheng, you just returned from the Imperial Palace on official business; you must be hungry. Shall I have the servants prepare some food for you?"

Cheng Yaojin was startled, patted his own belly and said, "Today I, Old Cheng, also earned merit; I dined with His Majesty in the palace."

"No need to go to such trouble..."

"Wrong." He suddenly thought of something, slapped the table, "Send someone to slaughter two cows at once. When filing the report with the Government, find any excuse to beat up the officials, preferably invoke my name, and spread the news."

Cui Clan: "......"

Cheng brothers: "......"

Good fellow, the officials are so innocent, aren't they?

Usually they brush us off with excuses that make people laugh out loud, but now we have to find any excuse to beat them up.

Is this something a person does?

Cheng Chuliang, still young and not understanding those twists and turns, asked puzzled, "Dad, why?"

"Isn't this just looking for trouble for yourself?"

"Those civil officials already dislike us; if you do this, we might be impeached again at tomorrow's court."

"Exactly, we want them to impeach us." Cheng Yaojin nodded, then patiently instructed his sons: "Chu Mo, Chu Liang, I'm telling you both."

"In officialdom, especially for us generals, the biggest taboo is having too much merit; His Majesty will grant no titles."

"At your father's level, earning more merit is meaningless, because you've already reached the point where no further titles can be granted."

"Just like this time I led troops out and earned considerable merit; besides some silver, what else can I gain?"

"Are we short of money?"

Cheng Yaojin answered to himself, "We're not short of money at all, so those rewards are useless."

"Those merits only bring danger to you, father."

"Therefore, sometimes making a mistake isn't necessarily bad; it can be a good thing."

Cui Clan sipped tea lightly, offering no comment on Cheng Yaojin's words.

Having been married to Cheng Yaojin for so many years, she understood that although her husband seemed reckless, he was actually meticulous as a hair.

Since Cheng Yaojin said so, he naturally had his reasons; they only needed to follow the arrangement.

Cheng Chumo and his brother nodded as if enlightened, engraving their father's words deeply in their hearts.

Cheng Yaojin sighed, "In this regard, you could learn more from that little scrawny Chen Yan."

"Look at that kid; from last month to now he's earned countless merits, even bringing out the method of making salt."

"But look at him: besides receiving a Death‑exemption Gold Medal and being allowed to take another wife, he's still just a minor County Marquis, never even receiving a single copper coin as reward."

"Do you know why?"

Cheng Chumo and Cheng Chuliang fell into contemplation.

The two brothers were naturally very familiar with Chen Yan, and understood the things Chen Yan had done during this period.

Not to mention the salt‑making method, nor any trade matters, merely rescuing Du Ruhui alone counts as a great merit.

If Cheng Yaojin hadn't mentioned it, they wouldn't have thought of it; now that he did, they recalled carefully and found that Chen Yan indeed seemed to have received no rewards.

Cheng Chumo frowned, "Dad, why is that?"

"What exactly did Brother Zi An do?"

"You don't know what he did?" Cheng Yaojin glanced at his underachieving son, "He struck Gao Yang that many times; do you really think His Majesty doesn't know?"

"Do you think Chen Yan is that stupid? He has no backing to repeatedly attack the Princess?"

Cheng Chumo suddenly understood, "I see now."

Cheng Yaojin added, "That's only part of the reason. I just returned and don't fully grasp everything, but I think that little scrawny Chen Yan and His Majesty share a certain tacit understanding."

"After all, that little scrawny Chen Yan is too young; giving him such a high position now would make the next emperor difficult to handle."

"Enough, let's leave that for now." Cheng Yaojin looked at Cheng Chumo and said, "You must have heard that Chen Yan is going to become County Magistrate of Weinan County, right?"

"Child, I've heard it," Cheng Chumo replied honestly, not understanding why the topic was raised.

Cheng Yaojin: "If I wanted you to go with me to Weinan County, what do you think?"

Cheng Chumo, upon hearing, immediately became excited and replied, "Willing, willing, I'm willing!"

"Good, then tomorrow I will enter the palace and ask His Majesty to assign you to the Negotiation Office of Weinan County."

Cheng Yaojin immediately finalized the matter, waved his hand and sent the two foolish sons out.

After the two left, Cui Clan hesitated, "Old Cheng, will His Majesty agree to let Chu Mo go to Weinan County?"

"Huh." Cheng Yaojin exclaimed, "I thought you'd ask why I want Chu Mo to follow Chen Yan to Weinan County."

"Obviously, I'm not stupid; that big move by His Majesty recently, everyone knows it must have profound intent, only the holy meaning is unclear."

Cui Clan paused, then laughed, "Moreover, with Zi An over there, Chu Mo can't be at a loss, can he?"

"You're right," Cheng Yaojin smacked his lips, "If Chen Yan hadn't told me personally, I wouldn't have known His Majesty could achieve this step."

"I won't go into the details, just know that going with Chen Yan only brings benefits, no drawbacks."

"Alright, I'll follow your word."

Meanwhile, as the couple chatted, Cheng Chumo, who had just left the house, was excited.

"Weinan County, ah, far from Chang'an."

"Letting myself go free."

"No, no, this kind of good news must be bragged to Huai Dao and Bao Lin first."

"From now on, my buddies won't be playing with you in Chang'an!"

"......"

At the same time, Chen Yan also returned home alone.

As for Xiao Sizi, Empress Changsun wanted to keep her by her side for two days, and Xiao Sizi agreed herself, so Chen Yan did not bring her back.

Because his appointment was imminent, Chen Yan kept ordering people to pack things and prepare to move.

Li Shimin was also very considerate and granted him a residence in Weinan County, saving him the trouble of buying one himself.

During this period, life was much calmer than before; apart from dealing with Gao Yang every day, no one came to disturb him.

It turned out to be a relaxed stretch of days.

The only thing that caught his attention was that Xue Li's parents and relatives were brought over; Chen Yan had Xiao Shunzi settle them in and even arranged a light job for them.

Xue Li was very grateful for this and practiced martial arts diligently every day.

Soon, the day arrived for Chen Yan to assume his post.

At dawn, when the sky was just faintly bright, Chen Yan, already packed and ready, held the Xiao Sizi that Empress Changsun had sent back, and sat in the carriage with Gao Yang.

Behind them, a dozen or so carts loaded with goods followed.

Gazing at the scenery receding beyond the carriage curtains, Chen Yan was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Weinan County......"

"......."