Chapter 672 – Alliance at Huangshui (Part Nine)
Cheng Cheng had two sons and one daughter, with Cheng Yuan being his and his lady’s legitimate second son.
Cheng Yuan, courtesy name Gong Liao.
“What’s he coming for?” Jiang Pengji subtly frowned, wondering if this Second Young Master Cheng thought she had wronged his father, Cheng Cheng, and was here to settle the score. She couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought, “Xiaoyu, go and probe his intentions…”
Xu Ke forced a bitter smile and steeled himself to go.
As for why Jiang Pengji didn’t confront the situation herself?
Xu Ke had a ready-made excuse—his master had hurried back for Cheng Cheng and was now utterly exhausted, just falling asleep. It wouldn’t be right for the servants to disturb her rest, so he had to step in to welcome Cheng Yuan… What a perfect excuse!
It saved face for both sides while beautifully explaining his master’s laziness and absence, not to mention giving Cheng Cheng a good word.
Cheng Yuan had just crossed the threshold of youth; his face still bore a hint of youthfulness and vitality, yet his demeanor was remarkably calm and composed—an uncommon steadiness for someone his age. Xu Ke, being well-versed in various people, could tell right away that this fellow was sincere and trustworthy.
After some conversation, Xu Ke confirmed his initial guess.
Cheng Yuan didn’t come to settle scores at all; instead, he was here to recommend himself.
Yes, you read that right, he was indeed recommending himself!
It was a two-for-one deal: snagging the old man (Cheng Cheng) and also throwing in the young one (Cheng Yuan).
Master, just look at the trouble you’ve gotten us into!
Upon learning this, Xu Ke couldn’t help but silently sigh in disbelief.
Young man, isn’t it good to be alive?
Do you know how recommending oneself usually ends?
Welcome to the Wanzhou overtime club, open year-round with daily overtime, benefits that will leave you crying, and a boss who’s as unreliable as can be.
If one day your master gets a whim, the workload could skyrocket!
Of course, Xu Ke wasn’t about to spill the truth.
If he scared the lad away, his master and the others would surely come after him.
Cheng Yuan had no clue about the internal affairs of Wanzhou, but he did grasp the heavy burden his father had taken on; one misstep could lead to infamy for eternity. How could he allow his middle-aged father to bear such a heavy burden and risk? As Cheng Cheng’s beloved son, Cheng Yuan understood his father’s pursuits and ideals deeply.
Therefore, Cheng Yuan didn’t hesitate; instead, he felt happy for his father.
With joy came deep worries, thus leading to this act of “self-recommendation,” wherein he willingly sought out his place.
Hearing Xu Ke’s report, Jiang Pengji chuckled.
“Now, there’s a filial and sensible son… You’ve met Cheng Yuan; what do you think of him?”
Xu Ke pondered seriously, recalling his earlier exchange with Cheng Yuan, “Cheng Gong Liao is prudent and attentive, practical in nature—a decent candidate indeed. As for his capabilities, that remains to be seen; we’ll have to test him secretly first. I figure, how bad could Cheng Cheng’s son be?”
When labor comes knocking, there’s no reason to shut the door!
Due to rapid expansion, both military force and development couldn’t keep pace, which wobbled the foundation—a current concern for Jiang Pengji.
What she needed most was someone like Cheng Yuan, steady and meticulous, who wouldn’t recklessly stir up trouble.
Even lacking extraordinary talent, as long as he was diligent and conscientious, he could still become a cornerstone of the Wanzhou power.
“Since that’s the case, I’m entrusting Cheng Gong Liao to you for now.” Jiang Pengji lowered her voice, “With the call to arms impending, I need to mobilize ten thousand soldiers and take a few people with me—Wanzhou’s administrative tasks will become quite heavy. Please train Cheng Gong Liao, and once he’s adjusted, we can hand things over to him.”
Jiang Pengji was already short on personnel, and with the call to arms taking away some resources, Wanzhou’s main base needed help even more.
Right at this moment, the arrival of the Cheng father-son duo felt like a soft pillow for someone waking from a nap; Jiang Pengji couldn’t help but praise her luck.
“This is excellent; I reckon I can relax a bit more.”
Xu Ke joked with a smile, showing no displeasure about a newcomer possibly stealing his thunder, in fact, he welcomed it.
It wasn’t that Xu Ke was naïve; it was just that Jiang Pengji set a brilliant example for everyone.
She wouldn’t allow anyone’s talents to languish unnoticed.
Though she might have some favoritism privately, she was very fair in her dealings, earning people’s genuine respect.
Xu Ke didn’t need to worry about Cheng Yuan threatening his position; their interests didn’t clash.
If promoting Cheng Yuan could lessen his burden and strengthen Wanzhou’s might, Xu Ke would jump at the chance without needing Jiang Pengji to tell him.
“Hmm, I trust Xiaoyu to handle things well.”
With Xu Ke supporting her, she indeed felt more at ease.
Look at others; in groups, internal conflicts always cropped up.
Tensions would arise, dragging each other down.
Take Yang Si’s previous employer, Changshou Wang, as a prime example.
On the surface, it appeared harmonious, but behind the scenes, the tides ran dark; you trip me, I mess with you, it was like a palace intrigue.
Mockery and veiled insults, a bitter struggle ensued.
Even on Jiang Pengji’s side, they couldn’t be called a happy family; there were indeed some disharmonies.
For instance, the free-spirited Feng Zhen had a rather poor relationship with Feng Jin, Xu Ke, and others.
Yet, regardless, they wouldn’t let those conflicts spill into work.
Firstly, they had brains; they wouldn’t sacrifice the public for personal matters, and there was mutual oversight.
Secondly, Jiang Pengji wouldn’t allow such behavior.
Whatever their private relationships, she stayed out of it.
But should someone cause trouble in official matters, they would be courting death.
She would assign everyone to suitable positions where they could shine and pour their efforts without losing any talent.
Jiang Pengji’s unwavering principle—do as much as you’re capable of; those lofty dreamers who work poorly can leave without a send-off.
As for what role Cheng Yuan would fit into, Jiang Pengji hadn’t made a precise judgment yet, so for now, he’d “intern” for a bit.
Once Cheng Yuan returned home, Cheng Cheng discovered what his son had been up to behind his back.
Son, did you really just sell yourself out like that?
Cheng Cheng frowned, “Do you know why I repeatedly tried to stop you from entering officialdom?”
He despised the scheming of the court, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed controlling his son’s life. His disapproval of Cheng Yuan seeking an official position stemmed from his belief that his youngest son wasn’t seasoned enough; someone lacking skill, even with a respectable background, would find it hard to stand out.
Cheng Yuan felt guilty, staring down and nervously fiddling with his sleeves, tongue-tied.
Cheng Cheng shook his head, “Forget it, spilled water can’t be gathered back. Since Liu Lanting… the Lord has accepted you, don’t disgrace the Cheng family.”
Cheng Yuan lowered his head and said, “Please guide me, Father.”
“Do more work, speak less, don’t be arrogant, earnestly seek advice, and learn humbly. Don’t be misled by the youth around the Lord; they might only be a few years older than you, but each one is a dragon among men… Coming from humble beginnings has its merits; at least their temperament tends to be more mature than their peers…” Cheng Cheng recalled Xu Ke, who had been Jiang Pengji’s right-hand man for many years, “Do you understand?”
Cheng Yuan nodded obediently.
Cheng Cheng was satisfied.
His youngest son had a good temperament, unlike the stubbornness of his eldest, and he wasn’t conceited.
He hoped his son’s entry into officialdom wouldn’t be a bad thing.
