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Chapter 672: Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (IX)

Cheng Cheng had two sons and one daughter. Cheng Yuan was the second son of Cheng Cheng and his first wife.

Cheng Yuan’s courtesy name was Gong Liao.

“What is he doing here?” Jiang Pengji knitted her brows imperceptibly. Could it be that this second son of the Chengs thought that she had deceived his old father? Had he hurried here to settle a score with her? Thinking of this, she laughed silently. “Xiaoyu, go and find out the other party’s intention is in coming here... ”

Xu Ke gave a pained smile. He could only put a bold face on and force himself to do it.

As for why Jiang Pengji didn’t show herself?

Xu Ke also prepared a ready excuse. His lord had returned with all swiftness from visiting Cheng Cheng and was now extremely tired. He’d fallen asleep right after returning. It would be unseemly for the servants to disturb their master’s sleep, so he was the only one who was available to receive Cheng Yuan... It was a perfect excuse!

Not only would this excuse save the faces of both parties, but it would also perfectly explain his lord’s laziness and evasive actions. At the same time, it would flatter Master Cheng Cheng.

Cheng Yuan had just passed 20 years of age and his facial features were still a little soft and full of vitality. However, he carried a rather gentle aura and there was a kind of steadiness and calm in him that didn’t fit his age. Xu Ke was worldly and knowledgeable. Just by looking at Cheng Yuan’s demeanor, he felt that he was a loyal and sincere person.

After further conversation, Xu Ke was even more certain about his guess.

Cheng Yuan had come to Jiang Pengji not because he wanted to settle any score with her. On the contrary, he’d come over to recommend his services.

Yes, you read that right. He was indeed there to recommend his services!

Buy one get one free. Swindle an old man (Cheng Cheng) and get a young man (Cheng Yuan) for free.

My lord, look at the huge disaster you’ve created! Thinking this, Xu Ke could not help but swallow his tongue in silence. Young man, is living so terrible? Do you know the end of the story for people who recommend their services?

Welcome to Wanzhou’s overtime team. No rest for the entire year, overtime every day, sham welfare, and unreliable leadership!

Their workload would even increase several times if their lord’s brain happened to malfunction on a particular day!

Of course, Xu Ke could never tell him the truth.

If he scared him away, his lord and his other colleagues would kill him.

Cheng Yuan truly did not know what was happening inside Wanzhou, but he did know how heavy the burden was that his father had taken on. Just one careless mistake and his name would become infamous for the next 10,000 years. As his child, how could Cheng Yuan let his father bear so much burden and risk when he was already in his middle age?

As the son whom Cheng Cheng had brought up and educated by himself, he was one of the people who knew Cheng Cheng best. He could understand his father’s pursuits and ideals.

Hence, Cheng Yuan did not stop him. Instead, he was happy for his father.

While he was happy, he was also deeply worried at the same time. That was why he’d come to put forth his services in exchange for shelter.

Hearing Xu Ke’s recount, Jiang Pengji smiled.

“He’s an obedient, sensible, and filial son... Now that you’ve seen Cheng Yuan, what do you think of him?”

Xu Ke thought about the question seriously and recalled the dialogue between them. “Cheng Gong Liao is steady and meticulous. He is a good seedling. As for his ability, it’s too early to say. I’ll test him in secret later. I think Master Cheng’s son won’t be too bad. ”

How could they turn away labor that had voluntarily shown up at their doorstep?

Because they were expanding their power so quickly, their military forces and development teams could not keep up with the pace. This had shaken their foundation and was Jiang Pengji’s secret concern.

The talents that she needed the most right now were people like Cheng Yuan. He was steady, calm, and meticulous, someone who was not extreme and would not act rashly or cause trouble.

Even if they were not amazing talents, as long as they were steady and sure, and willing to work hard, they would become the mainstay of Wanzhou’s power.

“In that case, I’ll entrust Cheng Gong Liao to you for the time being,” Jiang Pengji said hoarsely. “The rescue of the emperor is imminent. I’ll transfer 10,000 troops and take a few people away. The tasks designated to Wanzhou’s civil service will increase. Teach Cheng Gong Liao first. after he has adjusted, you can dump some of the stuff on him.”

Jiang Pengji was still short on manpower. The rescue of the emperor would require her to take a portion of her fortune and men away. Thus, the headquarters at Wanzhou would become even shorter on manpower.

Running into the pair of father and son at this time was like getting a pillow after already having fallen asleep. Even Jiang Pengji could not help but applaud her luck.

“Since the timing is so good, I reckon that we can relax a little bit.”

Xu Ke laughed as he chatted. It seemed that there was no dissatisfaction with the newcomer coming here to rob him of his livelihood. He even seemed to be glad about it.

It wasn’t because Xu Ke had a generous heart, it was just because Jiang Pengji had set a good example for everyone.

She would not bury anyone’s talent.

Although she had her biases in private, she was very impartial in her official affairs. Everyone was whole-heartedly won over.

Xu Ke did not need to worry about Cheng Yuan threatening his status because there was no conflict of interest between the two.

If Xu Ke could reduce his stress and enhance Wanzhou’s strength by promoting Cheng Yuan, he would do it without Jiang Pengji’s orders.

“Hmm, I’m always assured when it comes to your work.”

With the help of Xu Ke, she was spared from worry. Especially compared to the other powers, where there was always some sort of conflict going on within the group.

A disharmonious atmosphere of mutual sabotage.

Yang Si’s previous employer, Prince Changshou, was a typical example.

On the surface, their internal department was in harmony, but dark tides surged in private. One man would trip another, only to be blinded in return. It was remarkably like a drama about court intrigue.

From frigid irony and scorching satire to oblique accusations, people were busy fighting each other.

Even on Jiang Pengji’s side, her internal department could not be considered a family. There were some discordant elements.

For example, that wastrel, Fengzhen. His style of doing things was wild and dissolute. He did not have a good relationship with Feng Jin, Xu Ke, etc.

Even so, they did not transfer their conflicting views into official matters.

Firstly, they were not stupid. They would not allow private feelings to disrupt public or official matters. They also supervised and restrained one another.

Secondly, Jiang Pengji would not allow them to do so.

She did not interfere in their relationship in private.

Who would want to make trouble in official affairs? Did they think that she was dead?

She put everyone into the most suitable position so that they could shine and use their labor to the greatest degree. No talents were buried.

Jiang Pengji held to the constant principle of doing as much as your abilities allow you to. Those self-centered show-offs with high standards but little ability could show themselves out.

Jiang Pengji had not yet made an accurate judgment regarding Cheng Yuan’s niche, so she let him practice his skills first. She would decide after he had “interned” for a while.

When Cheng Yuan returned home, Cheng Cheng finally found out what his son had done behind his back.

“Son, you sold yourself just like that?” Cheng Cheng frowned. “Do you know why I’ve stopped you from taking up an official post several times?”

He did not like internal strife in bureaucracy, but that did not mean that he liked to control his son’s life. The reason why he had never approved of Cheng Yuan taking up an official post was that he thought his younger son was not mature enough yet. His abilities were still lacking. Even though he’d been born into a good family, it was not easy for a person with insufficient ability to make something of himself.

Cheng Yuan felt a burst of guilt. He lowered his head and worried his sleeves, not saying a single word.

Cheng Cheng shook his head. “Forget it. It’s no use crying over spilled milk. Now that Liu Lanting... our lord has accepted you, don’t be a disgrace to the Cheng family.”

Cheng Yuan bowed his head and said, “Father, I will follow your guidance.”

“Do more, talk less, and don’t be stubborn. Ask for advice earnestly and learn with an open mind. The people around the lord may be young and be no more than three to five years older than you, but each of them is a giant amongst men... Some advantages come from being born into a humble station. At least, their natures are steadier and mature faster than their peers...” Cheng Cheng thought of Xu Ke, who had become Jiang Pengji’s left and right-hand man many years ago. “Do you understand?”

Cheng Yuan nodded like the clever and lovable child he was.

Cheng Cheng was satisfied.

His younger son possessed a good temperament, unlike his oldest son, who was fierce, stubborn, and hard to tame. Cheng Yuan was less likely to go about with his nose in the air.

For Cheng Yuan to take up an official position at this time, Cheng Cheng hoped that it would not be a bad thing.