Chapter 65: Did Cheng Yaojin Lead the Troops Out?

To be honest, Chen Yan used to be a staunch materialist.

Until he hit a great stroke of luck and transmigrated to the Zhenguan Tang.

He then could no longer be materialistic.

And he kept a sense of awe toward certain things.

You may not believe, but you must not be disrespectful.

When carrying Xiao Sizi home, Chen Yan seemed a bit absent‑minded.

He understood that Li Chunfeng's purpose in coming to see him today was probably to figure out that mysterious destiny.

According to Li Chunfeng, Du Ruhui is supposed to die tomorrow, and that cannot be changed.

Historically, Du Ruhui indeed passed away in the fourth year of the Zhenguan era.

But now, because of his appearance, all of that has been altered.

Chen Yan feels that altering fate might be a standard feature for transmigrators and reincarnators.

Of course, this is merely his speculation, and he isn't sure whether it's correct.

So, when Li Chunfeng kept bringing up Du Ruhui, he would deliberately interrupt and state plainly that Du Ruhui being alive is a good thing.

At the same time, he told Li Chunfeng that he didn't want to say more and asked him not to probe further.

Li Chunfeng caught his subtext and, being considerate, didn't press the issue.

The two then went their separate ways.

After returning home, Chen Yan went straight to the busy Qing'er.

"How's it going, have you completed the task I assigned you?"

Qing'er was startled and asked, "What matter is the young master referring to?"

After Xiao Shunzi left, many affairs of the Bo Mansion fell to her, and Chen Yan had also entrusted her with numerous tasks.

Now, with this sudden remark, she couldn't immediately tell which matter Chen Yan meant.

"It's the congratulatory gift for Empress Changsun," Chen Yan patted Qing'er on the head. "You haven't forgotten, have you?"

He hadn't deceived Du Ruhui before; ever since Li Lizhi brought the money and property deed that day, and mentioned that he should attend Empress Changsun's birthday banquet.

He immediately summoned many craftsmen to the Bo Mansion, intending to craft a gift.

Also to pave the way for future money‑making schemes.

Qing'er quickly shook her head, "How could I dare forget Empress Changsun's gift? I've been watching over it the whole time."

"However, to meet your requirements, I'm afraid it will take a few more days."

Chen Yan nodded, "As long as you haven't forgotten, that's fine. Empress Changsun's birthday is still a few days away; keep a close eye on it."

"Alright, young master, Qing'er understands."

"......"

Time slipped by to the afternoon.

Cheng Chumo ordered someone to bring a freshly slaughtered cow to the Marquis of Weinan's residence.

Qin Huaidao and Yu Chi Bao Lin also followed.

Cheng Chumo said proudly, "How about it, Brother Zi An, can you trust that Cheng Chumo keeps his word?"

Chen Yan circled Cheng Chumo, examining him closely, and remarked in surprise, "You actually managed to bring the cow out; you shouldn't have been able to."

Qin Huaidao wholeheartedly agreed, "It really shouldn't have been possible. At first, when I saw Brother Chu safely bring the cow out, I, like you, didn't believe it."

Cheng Chumo glared, "What do you mean?"

"What are you saying"

"Do you think I would cheat or be unable to bring the cow out?"

Yu Chi Bao Lin said cheerfully, "We weren't thinking that way; after all, who doesn't know you have many cows?"

"We just found it odd; why could you bring the cow out so easily, Uncle Cheng didn't even break your leg."

Cheng Chumo had taken a cow out from home to eat before; this wasn't his first time.

He recalled that last year, a few brothers, craving a treat, coaxed Cheng Chumo to go home and get a cow for a feast.

Cheng Chumo was praised to the heavens by the three, and he resolutely went to arrange it.

As a result, the cow was indeed brought out, and the people were likewise beaten by Cheng Yaojin into emaciated calves.

Today, Cheng Chumo went home again to get a cow, and surprisingly he wasn't beaten.

The three were very surprised.

Cheng Chumo smiled proudly, "You didn't know that, did you?"

"My father, after entering the palace two days ago, came back leading the Eastern Palace Left and Right Units, and hasn't returned yet."

Chen Yan and the two others were startled.

The Eastern Palace Left and Right Units appear to be the Crown Prince's direct troops, but in reality are controlled by Li Shimin.

There are six such units in total, modeled after the emperor's sixteen guard system; though smaller in scale, they are all elite forces.

Each unit comprises roughly one thousand to one thousand five hundred men.

Combined, the Left and Right Units number at least two thousand.

And two thousand well‑equipped Eastern Palace Left and Right Units led by Cheng Yaojin are already enough to fight a sizable battle.

Logically, moving forces of this scale would inevitably cause a considerable stir.

If Cheng Chumo hadn't mentioned it, they wouldn't have known a thing.

Chen Yan hurriedly ordered the cow to be sent to the rear kitchen, then led Cheng Chumo and the two others into the main hall.

After sitting down, Yu Chi Bao Lin couldn't wait and asked, "Chu Mo, did Uncle Cheng really take the Eastern Palace Left and Right Units out?"

"Could it be that the Duke of Dai couldn't defeat the Eastern Göktürks?"

Last November, the Eastern Göktürks fractured internally, with the Xue Yantuo and Uighur tribes rebelling, and a great snow disaster struck; Governor of Dai Zhou Zhang Gongjin submitted a memorial, listing six reasons for attacking the Göktürks.

Li Shimin immediately appointed the Duke of Dai Li Jing as the commander-in-chief of the Dingxiang Road expedition, leading the six regional commanders' troops northward to launch the war.

Now Cheng Yaojin secretly took the Eastern Palace's left and right units out, and Yu Chi Bao Lin found it hard not to suspect a frontline defeat.

Cheng Yaojin took troops to provide support.

"No," Qin Huaidao affirmed. "Even if the Duke of Dai Li Jing's army is defeated by the Eastern Göktürks, and His Majesty orders Uncle Cheng to bring troops to support, he shouldn't only take the Eastern Palace's left and right units."

"At the very least, he should take all six of the Eastern Palace's units out."

"Besides, Chang'an is too far from the front; by the time Uncle Cheng brings troops to support, everything will likely be too late."

Yu Chi Bao Lin scratched her head, puzzled: "Since it's not to support the front, why does Uncle Cheng take the Eastern Palace's left and right units out?"

The three's gazes instantly focused on Cheng Chumo.

If anyone present could know what Cheng Yaojin was doing, it would undoubtedly be Cheng Chumo, Cheng Yaojin's eldest son.

Cheng Chumo spread his hands, "Actually I don't know much; there are things I didn't dare to ask."

"When he talked with my mother, I vaguely heard the words 'Weinan County'."

Weinan County?

Qin Huaidao and Yu Chi Bao Lin were even more puzzled.

Weinan County belongs to Jingzhao Prefecture, one of the counties east of Chang'an City, and is very close to Chang'an City.

What does Cheng Yaojin take the Eastern Palace's left and right units there for?

Unlike the two, Chen Yan had an expression of sudden realization.

If Cheng Yaojin takes the Eastern Palace's left and right units to Weinan County, there is probably only one reason.

It is the poisonous salt mine he discovered.

If I'm not mistaken, Li Shimin should have already verified the salt‑making method and be preparing to start large‑scale salt production.

He ordered Cheng Yaojin to secretly take the Eastern Palace's left and right units to Weinan County, most likely to protect the personnel mining the salt.

At the same time, to prevent the salt‑making technique and its information from leaking.

"......"