Chapter 324: The True Reason

"Cai Duke, are you all right?"

Chen Yan asked tentatively.

Needless to say, it was the first time Chen Yan had seen someone's complexion change so quickly—truly shifting from pale to flushed in an instant, the emotional swing was remarkably fast.

Du Ruhui exhaled a puff of foul breath, his eyes flashing, "Is that Champa Rice you mentioned, and the silver mine, real?"

Chen Yan: "......"

Not?

Weren't we just discussing the matter of his situation?

Why did your focus shift?

Chen Yan couldn't help but mutter inwardly, but he still nodded on the surface, "It's true!"

Du Ruhui asked again, "Does the Crown Prince know about this?"

"Crown Prince… probably doesn't know."

Chen Yan was somewhat uncertain.

Mainly because he wasn't sure whether Li Shimin had told Li Chengqian; in any case, he himself hadn't.

"Then it should be that he doesn't know," Du Ruhui concluded.

"For matters like this, His Majesty would probably only inform Empress Changsun alone!"

"Since the Crown Prince doesn't know, I don't know, and regarding Fang Xiong, I can also conclude he doesn't know; thus the Prince of Yue is even less likely to know."

"He says your situation is dangerous, and it certainly isn't because of this matter."

"Makes sense!" Chen Yan was momentarily stunned, then recovered and, fully convinced, nodded.

"Anyway, you don't need to worry about His Majesty's side," Du Ruhui said gravely, "Either His Majesty won't give it to you, but if he does, it means he trusts you."

"Your situation is somewhat similar to Li Jing's, yet there is a world of difference."

"His Majesty trusts Li Jing and needs his ability to command troops, but he also harbors suspicion toward him."

"Because Li Jing isn't of the direct line, he previously served the retired emperor and stayed neutral during the succession struggle; given the circumstances, neutrality pleased neither side, so His Majesty trusts Li Jing, but not much."

"You are different. Your Chen family, from the first generation, has followed His Majesty from the start; strictly speaking, in His Majesty's eyes, your Chen family is more of a direct line than Cheng Yaojin or Qin Qiong."

"Regarding the eight hundred heavy cavalry, you have performed equally well!"

Du Ruhui analyzed to Chen Yan, "First, you don't appear often before these eight hundred; from what you say, you don't let Niu Jinda reach them to mention your name in front of the eight hundred, while you are also instilling in them loyalty to the Tang Dynasty and to His Majesty."

"In this situation, the only thing you worry about is the choice of the commanding general."

He stared at Chen Yan and asked, "Tell me honestly, who in your mind is the commander of these eight hundred heavy cavalry?"

"Xue Li!" Chen Yan didn't conceal it, uttering a name that was somewhat familiar to Du Ruhui.

He thought for a long while before recalling, "Isn't this damn thing the guard who used to be by my side?"

"No way!"

Du Ruhui sternly said, "Xue Li is absolutely unacceptable!"

"His Majesty only appointed Su Dingfang as deputy commander to give you face and to acknowledge your achievement in training the eight hundred, but you must understand, got it?"

With that said, countless thoughts raced through Chen Yan's mind, and he understood what Du Ruhui meant.

Simply put, Li Shimin may refuse, but he cannot withhold.

The attitude must be shown.

"It seems you understand."

Du Ruhui looked at his expression and said contentedly.

Chen Yan sighed, "Why do I feel that even after all this, I still have to tread so cautiously?"

"I have no grand ambitions, just want to do something for this world, why so many hassles?"

The perilous situation hasn't been clarified, yet Li Shimin's side has already created so many issues.

It's truly vexing.

Du Ruhui, hearing that, said irritably, "Just be content. You want troops; His Majesty personally ordered the selection of men for you, covertly helped cover it up, and even granted you the authority to form heavy cavalry. What more do you expect?"

"This honor—if you flip through the ancient histories, how many have achieved this?"

"Besides, what does it mean that you live so cautiously?"

"If you, as the current ruler, scold the officials, and a crowd of people plus His Majesty, even willing to step back, would protect you—if that is called living cautiously, then what are we?"

"His Majesty hasn't truly intended anything against you; these are merely my admonitions and our own conjectures."

Speaking of that, Du Ruhui suddenly recalled something and said, "Actually, I have a method: as long as you keep your original intention, no matter what, you can be absolutely assured on His Majesty's side."

"What method?" Chen Yan asked curiously.

Du Ruhui smiled, "Continue your current work, bind ever more benefits to the Imperial Family, repeatedly find ways to deepen His Majesty's trust in you, reaching the level of the former Changsun Wuji, even surpassing Changsun Wuji."

"The most important…"

Du Ruhui showed a tantalizing expression, greatly piquing Chen Yan's curiosity.

Just as he thought Du Ruhui was about to propose a good plan, the next words nearly made his back snap.

"Make Empress Changsun happy!"

Chen Yan: "......"

Seeing Chen Yan's speechless expression, Du Ruhui burst into hearty laughter.

"We cannot do this, nor can we attempt it, but you are different; you are naturally meant to be close to Empress Changsun."

"More importantly, when His Majesty is extremely angry, only Empress Changsun across the realm can calm him."

"Think of Wei Zheng, and you'll understand."

"If there were no Empress Changsun, Wei Zheng would have died long ago!"

Speaking of that, Chen Yan smiled.

However, he hadn't been happy long before his mood grew gloomy again.

"Cai Duke, I admit you're right, but we've talked for ages and I still haven't made clear just how dangerous my situation is!"

"I know you want to pass on some experience to me, but can we postpone this for a bit?"

"Can we talk about the main matter first?"

Du Ruhui was speechless, tapping his fingers a few times, "Actually, you're confused as an insider while clear as an outsider."

"I'll give you a hint, then you should understand."

"Silk!"

"Ha......" Chen Yan first looked puzzled, but then, not knowing what he recalled, his face sank.

Du Ruhui smiled faintly: "Do you understand now?"

"Silk, how heavy it is!"

"Heavy enough to substitute for grain in tax payments, even to replace money; your deeds can fool the common folk below, but not those with ulterior motives."

"You've infringed on too many people's interests, likewise arousing envy in many."

"If you don't want to give up, you'll have to be careful from now on, and at the same time arrange people to guard the workshops in Weinan County."

Chen Yan snorted, "Does Cai Duke think I should give up?"

"To hell with it!" Du Ruhui slammed the table heavily: "Can silk be abandoned?"

"You promised me, yet you don't keep it!"

"At worst, if anyone comes, I'll chop off their claws."

"Cai Duke, so imposing!" Chen Yan gave a thumbs-up.

Du Ruhui waved his hands repeatedly: "Let's not talk about whether it's imposing or not for now."

"Your matter is done; now we should talk about Champa Rice and the silver mine."

Chen Yan: "......"

"......"