Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Chang'an City.

Duke Zhao's Mansion.

Changsun Wuji, who had just rushed back from Cuiwei Palace, didn't even have time to eat. He immediately sent someone to call Yu Zhining, Liu Shi, Han Yuan and others over.

In the side hall with the door closed.

The few people who had just arrived were frightened when they saw Changsun Wuji's gloomy face.

"What big thing happened?"

"Why does Duke Zhao look so scary?"

They have known Changsun Wuji for many years, but this is the first time they have seen him so serious.

Even after being defeated by Du He twice in a row, Changsun Wuji did not show this expression.

Several people looked at each other, with expressions of ignorance on their faces, and then sat quietly on both sides of the side hall.

As everyone remained silent, the atmosphere in the side hall became extremely depressing.

There was silence for a long time.

Chang Sun Wuji asked coldly, "Are any of you doing something behind my back?"

what!

Is someone messing around in private?

The reactions of the people present were exaggerated, with expressions of astonishment on their faces.

Zhang Sun Wuji continued, "The army that conquered the Western Turks has suffered two major defeats in a row. Now, His Majesty and the Crown Prince are already suspecting something is wrong!"

"This is a very serious matter. If any of you did this, confess to me immediately!"

Although His Majesty did not explicitly mention this matter today, Changsun Wuji still guessed this result from His Majesty's tone.

Moreover, in Changsun Wuji's heart, he also believed that there were spies within the army.

There was silence for a long time.

Yu Zhining was the first to speak: "Duke Zhao, I have been busy taking care of the family affairs recently and don't know what happened!"

"Besides, I don't have such ability!"

Liu Shi and Han Yuan also echoed this, saying that they were busy taking care of their family affairs and did not have the mind or ability to do so.

The three of them looked very sad as they talked.

As the culprits who brought disaster to the family, they were lucky enough to escape, which made them feel full of guilt.

During this period, they cried all day long, making their already old faces look even older.

Even the exposed temples were covered with white hair.

Immediately afterwards, Yuwen Jie, Chu Suiliang, Zhang Xuansu and others also spoke out to prove their innocence.

"No one did anything?"

When Changsun Wuji saw that this group of people had not done anything like this, he frowned.

But apart from them, who else would do this?

Changsun Wuji's sharp gaze swept over Yu Zhining, Liu Shi and Han Yuan, and he asked in a murderous tone.

"Do you dare to do it but not admit it?"

Faced with Changsun Wuji's harsh questioning, the three of them shook their heads, and their expressions did not look panicked at all.

strange!

Who did it?

Could it be that Hou Junji was really too reckless and suffered two major defeats in a row?

It shouldn’t be!

Although Hou Junji does not have the ability of Li Jing, he is also the top commander at present. There is no reason for him to make two big mistakes in a row!

Changsun Wuji frowned tightly, wondering who had done this.

At this moment, Chu Suiliang's voice rang out.

"Could it be that Du He is the mastermind behind this, just trying to frame us?"

Who?

Du He?

how can that be!

Everyone shook their heads, and no one thought that Du He was the one who did it.

Zhang Xuansu said in a deep voice, "Although Du He is cold-blooded and ruthless, he would never take the lives of civilians and soldiers lightly. This incident was definitely not his doing!"

Zhang Sun Wuji also said: "It is impossible that Du He ordered this."

Even if he suspected that his own people had taken action, he never suspected his opponent Du He.

Everyone chatted for another half an hour, but in the end there was nothing to gain. Changsun Wuji then asked everyone to leave with an apologetic look on his face.

...

The next day.

A meeting of hundreds of officials.

Since this group of officials entered the Taiji Hall, they kept looking at Du He, Li Ji, Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji and others.

Yesterday at noon, His Majesty summoned them to Cuiwei Palace again, apparently there was something important to discuss.

After the heads of various departments finished reporting on government affairs, Li Chengqian met the gazes of all the officials and spoke concisely.

"Hou Junji's troops were defeated at the Yili River, with the loss of over 15,000 soldiers!"

"His Majesty was furious and ordered Duke Du He of Han to take over the command from Hou Junji!"

wow~

As Li Chengqian spoke out these two pieces of news, a huge uproar suddenly broke out in the Taiji Hall.

incredible!

How could Hou Junji, who had experienced hundreds of battles, be defeated again?

What kind of extraordinary monster appeared in the Western Turks that could repeatedly defeat the elite Tang army?

After a moment of shock, everyone looked at Du He, their eyes full of doubt.

"Can Du He do it?"

"His commanding ability can't be better than Hou Junji's, right?"

It is undeniable that Du He is a genius, but leading troops in battle is different from writing poetry, which requires countless accumulations of experience.

Based on experience, it is obvious that Du He is far inferior to Hou Junji!

Just as all the officials were surprised, Du He turned his attention to King Chu Li Ke.

"Li Ke's reaction is so calm?"

"Is he pretending, or does this matter have nothing to do with him?"

Li Ke seemed to have sensed something. He looked up and gave Du He a faint smile, then lowered his head again and remained silent.

Weird!

Li Ke’s reaction today is so weird!

Originally, Du He only suspected that Li Ke was the mastermind behind the incident, but now it can be basically concluded that he must have been involved in this incident.

As for whether there are other people, we have to set up a trap to find them!

Li Chengqian waved to Lai Ji who was standing on the side of the imperial platform. Lai Ji immediately walked to the side of the imperial platform with the imperial edict, spread it out and read it aloud.

"The Emperor of the Great Tang has decreed that Du He, the Left Marquis General, Minister of Revenue, and Third-Rank Co-Secretary of the Secretariat, be appointed as the Chief Commander of the Yili Road Army. He will travel to Western Turkestan on a chosen day to succeed Duke Hou Junji of Chen as commander-in-chief!"

"The Emperor of the Great Tang appoints Minister of the Interior and Minister of Personnel Changsun Wuji as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Yili Road Army to assist Du He in attacking the Western Turks!"

After hearing these two imperial decrees, all the civil and military officials suddenly showed strange expressions on their faces.

They all knew that Du He and Changsun Wuji were the core staff of both teams. They fought each other to the death and wanted to kill each other.

Why does His Majesty always let the two of them travel together?

Wouldn't the two of them really draw their swords and fight each other on their way to Western Turkestan?

Du He and Changsun Wuji looked at each other, then stood up and accepted the order.

"I accept the decree!"

After announcing the imperial edict, Li Chengqian gave some instructions to everyone and then ended today's court meeting.

...

After Du He returned to the Ministry of Revenue, he called the Minister of Revenue, Lu Chengqing, to his office and gave him some instructions.

"Minister Lu, for the next period of time, you will be fully responsible for all the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue!"

"If you are undecided, you can go to the East Palace to ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for a decision."

The current government affairs implemented by the Ministry of Revenue cannot be decided by Shangshu Zuo Pushe Li Ji, and the final decision must be made by Li Chengqian.

Especially when it comes to the current task of measuring the land all over the world, Li Ji, that coward, is trying to avoid it as much as possible.

Lu Chengqing bowed and said, "I obey your command!"

After handing over the government affairs, Du He immediately left the palace and, escorted by the guards, rushed to the manor where gunpowder was being developed.