Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Going to Ganlu Temple for lunch?

What important matter did Li Shimin want to discuss with him?

During this period, Li Shimin was recuperating in Ganlu Palace and did not ask about the state affairs of the court.

Moreover, state affairs such as the management of Eastern Turkestan, Xueyantuo and Western Turkestan will be discussed after the Yuanzheng Festival. There is nothing important to discuss now.

Could it be that Li Shimin was too bored and wanted to find someone to chat with?

After thinking for a while, Du He stood up and said.

"Let's go."

On the way to Ganlu Temple, Lai Ji hesitated for a moment and then whispered to Du He.

"Duke Hanguo, since Your Majesty does not need to deal with state affairs right now, Your Majesty intends to have me serve as a councilor in the Eastern Palace."

"Please take good care of me from now on, Mr. Han."

The position of Si Yi Lang was first established in the fifth year of Zhenguan (631 AD) and was a subordinate official of the Zuo Chun Fang of the Eastern Palace. His official rank was the upper sixth rank.

His duties were to admonish the Crown Prince for his mistakes, correct memorials submitted, and record his words and deeds.

The function of this official position is similar to that of Tongshi Sheren. One is the emperor's eunuch, and the other is the prince's eunuch.

Good guy!

Li Shimin actually sent his personal eunuch to the Eastern Palace to assist Crown Prince Li Chengqian. This sent a very different signal!

Did Li Shimin begin to delegate power gradually?

Du He's expression changed slightly, and then he said with a smile: "Lai Ji, welcome to the East Palace to assist His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"We are all officials appointed by the court, and it is our duty to support each other."

Hearing Du He say this, Lai Ji suddenly became excited, and his hands hidden under his wide sleeves clenched into fists.

I have found a big partner!

Lai Ji whispered, "Duke Han, from now on I will follow your lead!"

As the emperor's personal eunuch, he has now been transferred to the Eastern Palace to serve as a councilor, and will definitely be suppressed by the officials of the Eastern Palace.

Even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would not use him.

If he had Du He's support, all these obstacles would disappear, and he would be able to thrive in the court.

Hearing that Lai Ji wanted to rely on him, Du He smiled and waved his hand without saying much.

He was wary of those who served Li Shimin.

He could only feel at ease after Li Chengqian ascended the throne.

After a cup of tea.

After Lai Ji's report, Du He was summoned to Ganlu Palace.

In the empty hall, there were no other officials except Li Shimin, several palace maids and a group of eunuchs.

Du He bowed and said, "Your Majesty."

Looking at the elegant and handsome Du He, Li Shimin seemed to see the capable minister Du Ruhui.

Among the old ministers in the Prince of Qin's Palace, Du Ruhui's descendants are the most outstanding.

Moreover, through teaching Du Ping'an during this period, Li Shimin believed that the best person in the next generation would probably be Du Ping'an.

It is such a blessing to have three wise men in one family!

Li Shimin smiled and said, "No need to be so polite, just sit down and have your meal."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Du He bowed again and then sat down at the table with food on the side.

Unlike the meals Li Chengqian ate, the meals Li Shimin hosted for him were relatively light, and all the meat and dishes were mainly boiled in water.

However, the dishes tasted pretty good after being cooked by the imperial chef.

Eat for a while.

Li Shimin asked softly, "Du He, I heard that the Ministry of Revenue recently invited princes and noble families from all over the country to come to Chang'an. How many people responded?"

That's why I came here.

Du He bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, as of yesterday, only 30% of the princes and 40% of the noble families have responded positively."

He then listed the princes and aristocratic families who responded positively, as well as the princes who took the lead in boycotting.

After listening.

"Oh!"

Li Shimin slammed the table heavily, his face full of anger.

“That makes sense!”

"You didn't make any contributions when the Tang Dynasty was founded, yet now you dare to lead the resistance against the imperial court's tax reform!"

During the Wude period, a number of vassal kings, including Prince Li Shenfu of Yi County, Prince Li Xiaotong of Zibo County, and Prince Li Daoli of Gaoping, proposed the issue of enfeoffment of vassal states.

In the early years of the Zhenguan period, this group of princes joined forces with veteran ministers such as Pei Ji and Xiao Yu, and submitted petitions to the emperor many times to discuss the division of fiefdoms.

There were even vassal kings who were dissatisfied with the small size of their fiefdoms and chose to collude with the Eastern Turks.

I didn’t expect that now that the tax reform is being implemented, these remnants of the emperor’s party would jump out to cause trouble again.

There was silence for more than ten breaths.

Li Shimin asked in a deep voice: "Du He, how do you plan to break the deadlock?"

Du He said calmly, "The day after tomorrow is the deadline. If any princes or noble families don't send people to Chang'an, it means they have ulterior motives."

"Next year, when we implement the national policy of equalizing the land tax, I will keep a close eye on these people."

He did not tell Li Shimin how to deal with this group of princes, but intended to let him come up with it himself.

On the imperial platform.

Li Shimin nodded and said, "Du He, just do as you think!"

His brothers and descendants all supported tax reform, which made him lose all his worries. As for those greedy relatives, it was time to teach them a lesson.

Du He bowed and said, "I obey your order!"

It seems that even the magnanimous emperor Li Shimin couldn't stand those relatives!

Finish talking about this.

Li Shimin changed the subject and said, "Du He, have you taken up your post at the Yongzhou Governor's Mansion?"

Du He nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I took up my post yesterday and arranged government affairs for the officials of the Yongzhou Governor's Office."

Then he reported to Li Shimin the general events that took place at the Yongzhou Governor's Mansion yesterday, picking out some things that could be said.

After listening.

Li Shimin laughed and scolded, "Du He, I knew you liked to be a hands-off boss, so I sent Jia Dunyi, Wang Renbiao, and Xi Junmai to assist you."

"Although the Ministry of Revenue has more important things to do, the government affairs of Yongzhou are equally important. You have to take care of both sides."

Faced with Li Shimin's instructions, Du He had no choice but to nod in agreement.

After the meal, the two chatted for another half hour before Du He left Ganlu Palace.

Looking at Du He's leaving back, Li Shimin, who had been smiling, gradually calmed down.

There was silence for a long time.

Li Shimin pinched his brows and said, "Laiji, go to the Ministry of Personnel and call Zhangsun Wuji over, and then you can go to the Eastern Palace to take up your post."

"As ordered!"

Lai Ji knelt on the ground respectfully and kowtowed heavily to Li Shimin.

Looking at Lai Ji kowtowing, Li Shimin was also deeply moved.

...

After leaving Ganlu Palace, Du He did not go to the Eastern Palace, but returned to the Ministry of Revenue to think about recruiting craftsmen and developing rubber tires and springs.

In order to make these two things, a large team of craftsmen must be assembled.

Time passed quickly and it was time to get off duty.

After returning to the princess's mansion.

After Du He and his wife and children finished their meal, they sat in the lobby waiting for the officials who came with gifts to arrive.

After dark, no official came.

"hehe!"

"That's clever!"

Du He muttered a few words, then stood up and walked towards the backyard.

He mentioned the gift-giving matter at the court meeting, and there must be many people with ulterior motives staring at the door of the princess's mansion.

If these officials came to the princess's mansion to take back the gifts, they would definitely get into trouble.

Moreover, it is not a good idea to take back a gift you have given away.

...

Two days later.

in the afternoon.

Du He was writing and drawing in the office when Lu Chengqing knocked on the door and walked in to report with a list.

"Minister Du, I have already explained the tax reform to those coming to Chang'an. Here is the specific list of attendees."

"Forty percent of the princes have come, and sixty percent of the noble families have come!"

Good guy!

Someone actually secretly sent people to Chang'an!

This person is really thoughtful!

Du He raised his head and a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Minister Lu, show me the list of security personnel."