The lesson learned from the past is naturally the Xuanwu Gate Incident, which was a taboo in the Tang Dynasty and also Li Shimin’s heartache.
The scar in his heart was touched, and he was very angry.
But looking at his eldest grandson Wugou, who was like a hen guarding her young, the anger in his heart could not be released.
He can be angry with anyone, except her.
It was impossible for her not to know what was wrong with him, but she still chose to speak out, which only meant that she was really angry.
A mother can do anything for her children.
He couldn't help but think about his mother. If she were alive, would she watch his brother break up step by step?
Maybe some things are destined to happen and cannot be undone, but she will try her best to reconcile, and even have a big quarrel with her father, just like the eldest grandson Wugou now.
The children are luckier than themselves. They lost their mother early, but they have their mother protecting them.
When he thought of this, the anger in his heart disappeared, and he said in a wan voice: "Okay, it's all up to you. From now on, let Qing Que be the Prince of Taiping."
Changsun Wugou said warily: "Really?"
Li Shimin smiled bitterly and said: "Really, how many times have I lied to you."
Changsun Wugou was happy at first, and then said embarrassedly: "I'm sorry, I was too impatient and made a mistake just now."
Li Shimin shook his head and said: "I am the one who is too impatient. The requirements for Cheng Qian are too high, so I took this step out of a hurry."
…
At the Duke's Mansion, Cheng Yaojin called Cheng Huailiang back and said, "In the future, stay away from King Wei. Don't even make friends with the prince, and don't get too close to any prince."
Cheng Huailiang said puzzledly: "I can understand why you are alienating the King of Wei. Why can't you make friends with the prince even if he is the crown prince?"
Cheng Yaojin said: "Your Majesty is in his prime. As a minister, it is taboo to rush to take sides at this time. And what about the prince, we don't know who will win until the last moment."
Cheng Huailiang showed a thoughtful expression.
Cheng Yaojin continued: "The contribution of supporting the establishment is just the icing on the cake for our family, but the price of being on the wrong team is too heavy. When the difference between the effort and the gain is too big, it is best not to make a bet."
Cheng Huailiang said: "If we don't take sides, will the final winner take action on us?"
Cheng Yaojin said: "With the current status of our family, as long as the person in power is not a mediocre person, they will not touch us. But if the person in power is a mediocre person, what will happen even if he has the merit to support us?"
"It's not that we don't take sides, but we always stand with the saint. In the end, we will support whoever the saint chooses."
Cheng Huailiang nodded and said: "I understand, but what if Chen Zhenren takes sides?"
"If he wanted to take sides, he would not have declined the King of Wei today." Cheng Yaojin's eyes flickered, and he didn't know what he was thinking, but he said meaningfully:
"In the past, I was only 30% sure, but now I am 70% sure that no matter how big a mistake he makes, except for rebellion, the saint and the empress will protect him."
"Even if he supports someone, no matter who comes to power in the end, it may not affect his prosperity."
Cheng Huailiang was shocked, how could this be possible?
But no matter how he pressed, Cheng Yaojin never told him the answer, but repeatedly warned him not to inquire.
Knowing too much is not a good thing.
…
At Duke Yi's Mansion, Qin Qiong was also saying something similar: "Don't take sides with any prince, we only support the saint, and we will support whoever he chooses in the end."
Qin Yandao replied: "Yes, I understand."
Qin Qiong continued: "Besides the saint and the empress, there are only three of our families at today's banquet. This is equivalent to telling your majesty in person that our three families have formed an alliance with Zixiaoguan. Do you know why your majesty is not angry?"
Qin Yandao shook his head and said, "Please give me some advice."
Qin Qiong said: "Because the three of us only represent ourselves, there are no other forces behind us, and our alliance is only for self-protection rather than fighting for power."
Qin Yandao said in confusion: "My son is stupid, please help me clarify my confusion."
Qin Qiong sighed, this son's ability was indeed average, it would be difficult for him to support the Qin family.
Fortunately, he was lucky enough to get to know a group of brothers. With the help of Chen Jingke and others, not only could the Qin family reach a higher level, but at least it would not suddenly decline.
Thinking of this, he became even more grateful to Chen Jingke, who not only saved his life, but also gave Qin Yandao a hand.
Converging his divergent thinking, he said: "Behind Xu Guogong (Gao Shilian), Qi Guogong (Chang Sun Wuji), Ying Guogong (Yu Wenshiji) and others are Guan Longxungui..."
"Wei Guogong (Fang Xuanling), Zheng Guogong (Wei Zheng) and others came from Shandong gentry, and they represent the interests of the gentry..."
"Other princes also represent their own interests...the relationship behind a person is too complex, and his thoughts will become difficult to grasp."
"Over the past few hundred years, the sky above has changed one after another, but the nobles and nobles have always remained standing. Changing the sky is not a big deal to them."
"We are different. We have nothing to do with any force. If the sky changes, we will lose everything. If we want to keep our glory and wealth, we can only be loyal to the Holy One, so we form an alliance to protect ourselves and the Holy One will not blame us."
"If the people present today had been replaced by any other family, I'm afraid it would have been a different result."
Qin Yandao suddenly realized, "I see, I understand."
…
Wu Guogong Mansion.
After Yuchi Gong returned home, he immediately called his son Yuchi Baolin over, and closed the door with Yuchi Xunyu and his three sons to discuss today's affairs.
"The matter of seizing the direct descendants is extremely dangerous. You must not get involved in it." Yuchi Gong glared at Yuchi Baolin and said: "Especially you, you have many bad friends, don't be dragged into the water by them."
Yuchi Baolin looked serious and said: "Yeah, don't worry, I know what's going on."
Yuchi Gong nodded. This son's personality was different from his. He was all-round and could talk to anyone. But he was very measured and knew what to do and what not to do.
At this moment, he thought of another thing and said quickly: "Also, be more restrained with women in the future. If you really see someone you really like, buy it with money. If you really can't buy it, just hold it back."
Yuchi Baolin was not happy and said: "I am very measured. I never touch anyone with a background, and I will give her family enough compensation afterwards. That is money that they will not be able to earn in a few lifetimes."
Yu Chigong said angrily: "You bastard, is this what labor and management taught you? If you can't even control the birds below, what big thing can you accomplish?"
"It's not up to you this time. If I hear you use force again, I will break your legs. Don't think that labor and management are joking with you."
When Yuchi Baolin saw that he was really angry, she did not dare to disobey him, but said unwillingly: "Why? Could it be that someone is reporting me?"
"That's not true. I did this for Xun Yu." Yu Chigong told Chen Jingke's story and said:
"That young master is particularly sensitive to this matter. If he hears about your incident, I'm afraid Xun Yu will not be a good person."
Yuchi Baolin frowned and said, "I know he has some face in front of the Saint Empress, but it doesn't make you care so much, right?"
Yuchi Gong mocked: "You have been claiming to understand people's hearts all day long, so guess how important he is in the eyes of the saint and the empress."
…
This banquet cannot be hidden from those who are interested, so everyone can naturally guess what is going on. All parties have their own thoughts on this, but no one takes any action.
Again, Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, and Yuchi Gong do not represent the interests of any party, they only want to protect themselves, and no one wants to anger them unless necessary.
Zixiaoguan was relatively close to them, and although many people felt uncomfortable, they didn't say anything.
On the contrary, because of the help of allies, no one dared to offend Zixiaoguan easily.
Time passed, and half a month later Chen Jingke's restaurant was finally completed and opened for business.