"Duke of Qi, please calm down. I always keep the promises I make to you. But as you can see, Li Longji is not resting in Chang'an; he's actually plotting to collude with the Uyghurs to help him reclaim power. His son Li Cheng is another handful—he has amassed a heavy garrison in Shangdang, waiting for us to tear each other apart so he can reap the benefits. An Lushan still harbors treacherous ambitions, trying to break through the defensive line I set up at Changshan with designs on the Central Plains. You tell me, how am I supposed to face so many factions all by myself? One tiny misstep and I'll plunge into an endless abyss. Therefore, you really ought to understand my difficulties. I promise you, the moment I finish dealing with these matters, I will definitely help cure your chronic affliction," Si Ren explained patiently, coaxing him much like a child.
However, Gao Lishi was having none of it, growing only more irritated.
"Geshu Han, your situation is difficult, but is mine any better? Do you have any idea how much danger I took on to help you? If that father and son ever find out what I've done, will I still have a place to stand in the Great Tang? You may not know the methods of the Imperial Court, but I know them all too well! I'll be implicated down to my tenth generation, you understand!"
Chapter 791