Chapter 80: Eastern Palace News
A few days later, the transfer orders for Zhao Ji, Shen Tao and Xiao Bao were issued, and the three of them went to the Eastern Palace to take up their posts together.

With the eunuch leading the way, the three of them entered the Prince's Palace from Fenghua Gate. The first thing that caught their eyes was Chongwen Hall.

Chongwen Hall was established by Emperor Taizong and its original name was Chongxian Hall.

Prince Zhanghuai Li Xian first requested to place scholars and students in Chongxian Hall. Later, in order to avoid the taboo of Li Xian, Chongxian Hall was changed to Chongwen Hall.

"Chongwen Hall, Chongxian Hall..." Zhao Ji looked at the building in front of him and muttered to himself.

Seeing Zhao Ji talking confidently, Xiao Bao couldn't help but ask, "General, what are you talking about?"

Zhao Ji shook his head: "Nothing, you go first, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants to see me, I will come to you later."

Shen Tao and Xiao Bao took orders and left after hearing this.

At this moment, two scholars, one fat and one thin, walked out of the gate of Chongwenguan. They walked side by side and had a pleasant conversation. It was obvious that they had a close relationship.

Seeing this, Zhao Ji's eyes lit up and he recognized that these two people were the main targets of this trip.

Especially the thin one, with steady steps and restrained breath, he must have practiced Kung Fu, most likely he is Xu Shide.

Another bloated figure was Wu Xiaojie, an old colleague of the King of Yue who was killed by Xu Shide's scheme.

No one knows how Xu Shide did it, but after more than a year in Chongwenguan, he and Wu Xiaojie became sworn brothers.

After looking for a long time, Zhao Ji finally withdrew his gaze and followed the eunuch forward. The Li Tang artifact was still waiting to see him.

As for Xu Shide and Wu Xiaojie, there is plenty of time to deal with them slowly.

However, when Zhao arrived in front of the main hall where the prince was, the eunuch told him to wait for a moment.

"I will take the general to the side hall to rest for a while. There are distinguished guests visiting the hall, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is entertaining the guests and cannot be away for the time being." The eunuch had a very good attitude, as if someone had greeted him in advance.

"Thank you." Zhao Ji bowed his head and thanked him.

At this moment, another eunuch in the palace walked up to Zhao Ji and said, "Is it General Zhao who has arrived? His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants to see you."

Zhao Ji immediately agreed: "I am the one."

"General, please follow me."

Later, under the guidance of the eunuch, Zhao Ji entered the palace. Unexpectedly, he saw Di Renjie in the palace.

Di Renjie really was openly protecting Li Tang without any concealment. As soon as he returned to Chang'an, he ran to the prince to greet him.

Moreover, Di Pangpang's information channels were really well-informed. Before he even took office, people were already waiting for him in the East Palace.

When Di Renjie saw Zhao Ji, his old face blossomed: "Your Highness, this is the Zhao Ji Zhao Chengyuan I mentioned. He was transferred to the Crown Prince's Palace recently."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji hurried forward to greet him: "I, General Zhao Ji, greet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Elder Di."

Li Xian was also in high spirits and didn't put on airs at all.

He stepped forward to stop Zhao Ji and said, "General Zhao, there is no need to be so polite. I didn't expect that you are a disciple of Lord Di. Now that you have joined the Prince's Guards, you will surely make them even more powerful."

Zhao Ji responded modestly: "Your Highness, you are too kind. I am still young and inexperienced, so I really don't deserve such praise."

Li Xian was even more satisfied when he saw that Zhao was both polite and well-mannered: "General Zhao is too modest. Di Gong did not make a mistake in his selection of people."

Since Li Xian brought up Di Renjie, it was natural for Zhao Ji to no longer be modest.

Di Renjie was also very pleased to see that Li Xian and Zhao Ji got along so well.

"Chengyuan has been transferred to the Prince's Guard, and he can assist His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wholeheartedly on my behalf. If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has any questions or difficulties, he can also consult Chengyuan. Chengyuan is a rare talent." Di Renjie reminded them one by one.

When Li Xian and Zhao heard what Di Renjie said, they naturally agreed.

"Since Chengyuan has arrived, I have official business to attend to, so I will not bother His Royal Highness any more." Di Renjie stood up and prepared to leave. Li Xian was also very good at handling things: "In that case, Chengyuan will see Di Gong off on my behalf."

"Yes, sir." Zhao Ji agreed, stood up and followed Di Renjie out.
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It was very strange that Zhao Ji was suddenly transferred from Qianniu Guard to the prince's side.

Although Di Renjie was not sure what the emperor had sent Zhao Ji to do specifically, he was certain that it was aimed at the prince.

This was also the reason why he made this trip, both for the prince and for Zhao Ji.

The two of them left the hall and walked a long distance until there was no one around and then they started talking about business.

"Chengyuan, I really didn't expect that His Majesty would transfer you to the Eastern Palace." Di Renjie said slowly.

"To be honest with you, sir, I never thought that His Majesty would transfer me here." Zhao Ji said helplessly.

"Why? From what Chengyuan said, it seems that he is not very willing to be transferred to the Eastern Palace." Di Renjie asked with a smile.

"Sir, I can tell you the truth. I am not happy about it." Zhao Ji said frankly, "The East Palace is a place of controversy, and I have some unspeakable secrets."

Di Renjie nodded, his expression slightly heavy: "I guessed this, I won't ask you, just act according to your heart."

Zhao Ji bowed and thanked him: "Thank you for your understanding, sir."

"You don't have to worry too much. It's always a good thing for you to be transferred to the Prince's Palace. With this resume, the prince will definitely promote you when he ascends the throne in the future." Di Renjie said with a smile.

This is true, the officials of the Eastern Palace are the future ruling team of the prince. Every prince will promote his old people in the Eastern Palace when he succeeds to the throne.

But all this is still a castle in the air for Zhao Ji.

Moreover, misfortune often follows good fortune, and good fortune often follows misfortune. If the prince is unlucky, the officials of the Eastern Palace will generally suffer as well.

However, Di Renjie seemed to see through Zhao Ji's thoughts. He looked at him with a smile and said, "Don't worry. Unless the prince leads the guards to rebel, you will not be implicated."

"My lord, please make fun of me." Zhao Ji scratched his head embarrassedly.

Zhao Ji understood Di Renjie's meaning. It was just that his status was too low. If it were the prince's left and right sons, or the prince's guests, they would be implicated.

It was already the dead of winter, and the cold wind was blowing in every corner.

Di Renjie and Zhao Ji walked at a leisurely pace. He said earnestly:

"Restoring the Tang Dynasty is what the people want and the general trend. Even if there are some twists and turns along the way, it will eventually come to fruition. Eight or nine out of ten civil and military officials in the court have this in mind."

"Your Majesty may be strong-willed and have powerful methods, but he cannot change the world by himself. So your trip to the East Palace this time will only bring benefits in the long run, not harm."

"However, you must proceed with caution. I will personally vouch for you at the Crown Prince's place, and he will not make things difficult for you. Just do what you have to do."

Listening to Di Renjie's earnest teachings, Zhao Ji was filled with gratitude: "How could I, Zhao Ji, deserve such great kindness from you, my Lord?"

Di Renjie smiled when he heard this and patted Zhao Ji on the shoulder.

His eyes were full of expectation: "My sons are not very capable. I treat you, Yuanfang, and Jinghui as my own. Jinghui has already left the government, Yuanfang is steady and down-to-earth, but I'm afraid that the only one who can really become a great man is you, Chengyuan."

"Sir..." Zhao Ji was speechless, he just felt a warm current surging in his heart.

"Okay, just send it here. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is waiting for you." Di Renjie said.

Zhao Ji bowed deeply to Di Renjie and said, "Sir, I hope you take care of yourself. You always like to work all night to handle official business, which is not good. You are old, so you must pay attention to rest."

"I understand, Yuan Fang will take care of me, you go." Di Renjie helped Zhao Ji up and said.

"If there is an opportunity in the future, I would like to serve you again." Zhao Ji bid farewell again and then turned and left.

Di Renjie stood there for a long time, watching Zhao Ji's back gradually disappear into the distance.

(End of this chapter)