Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Wu Meiniang heard the jealousy in Li Zhi's words, but she did not put the collection of poems away. Instead, she flipped through it calmly.

When Li Zhi sat next to her, she slowly spoke.

"Your Highness, every poem written by the Duke of Korea is a masterpiece handed down from generation to generation. I enjoy poetry and songs, so I must study and appreciate them carefully."

"How can you be jealous of the Korean prince?"

After hearing Wu Meiniang's words, Li Zhi, who was originally a little angry, touched his nose in disappointment.

He didn't know why he was angry with Du He. It was obvious that Du He and Mei Niang had no connection, but he just had this feeling.

Is this what men's possessiveness means?

Li Zhi shook his head and changed the subject, saying, "Mei Niang, Chang Sun Chong just brought me some news. My uncle is using the prophecy of the [Female Warrior King] to incite Li Junxian to rebel and have him imprison my father."

"When the time comes, my uncle will ask my father to issue an edict and establish me as the new king."

The female warrior king?

When Wu Meiniang heard these four words, she suddenly raised her head, and her long-dormant ambition showed signs of reviving.

Does the word "Wu" in this prophecy refer to a surname?

Wu Meiniang asked softly, "Your Highness, what is the hidden meaning of this prophecy?"

As she spoke, her wise big eyes stared straight at Li Zhi.

When Li Zhi saw Wu Meiniang's huge reaction, he was full of curiosity.

"Why is Mei Niang's reaction so big?"

"Does she also want to be the queen?"

When he was still the Prince of Jin, he made a private promise to Wu Meiniang that after he ascended the throne, he would make Wu Meiniang the queen who would rule the country.

Unexpectedly, when she was down and out, Wu Meiniang still remembered this promise.

Li Zhi smiled and explained, "Mei Niang, Li Junxian's nickname is 'Fifth Lady'. His official title is General of the Left Guard, his title is Duke of Wulian County, and he was born in Wu'an County!"

"His nickname, official title, nobility, and territory all contain the word 'Wu'. Doesn't this align with the prophecy?"

This prophecy perfectly matches Li Junxian's. Once it is widely circulated among the people, even if the emperor is wise and powerful, he will not remain indifferent.

After all, prophecies involving imperial power have been taboos since ancient times.

Even if the emperor believes that Li Junxian is innocent, will the civil and military officials and the people of the world believe that Li Junxian is innocent?

After listening to Li Zhi's explanation, Wu Meiniang frowned slightly.

She stood up slowly and muttered to herself as she walked to the other side of the pavilion.

"Is this really the interpretation of this prophecy?"

"Isn't it true that a woman with the surname Wu will be king?"

When Li Zhi saw the strange look on Wu Meiniang's face, he also stood up and walked to her side.

A few breaths of silence.

Li Zhi turned to look at the beautiful Wu Meiniang. He asked curiously, "Meiniang, is there something wrong with this prophecy?"

Wu Meiniang shook her head and said, "Your Highness, I'm wondering, if Duke Zhao succeeds, will you be able to rule the world?"

Dominate the world?

When Li Zhi heard these domineering words, his breathing became rapid.

Li Zhi, who had originally lost the desire to fight for the throne, now has renewed his ambition.

Li Zhi gritted his teeth and said, "Mei Niang, do you mean that I should continue to compete with Li Chengqian for the throne?"

Does he still have a chance?

The court was full of Li Chengqian's people. The 20,000 imperial guards in Chang'an were in the hands of Xue Rengui, and the hundreds of thousands of troops in Yongzhou were in the hands of Du He.

What can he use to compete with Li Chengqian?

Could it be possible that by imprisoning his father, he could return to Chang'an and take over the throne?

Wu Meiniang smiled and replied, "Why not?"

"All the planning is now being done by Duke Zhao, Chu Suiliang, Yuwen Jie, Yu Zhining and others. You just need to return to Chang'an at the critical moment."

"Even if the plan fails, it has nothing to do with you."

The fight for the throne between the princes was not a head-on confrontation between the two princes, but a fight between their staff.

After the fighting between the staffs of both sides is almost over, it is time for the prince to appear.

Besides, Li Zhi has been demoted to Bingzhou and has not exchanged letters with Zhangsun Wuji and others during this period. Even if the matter is exposed, what does it have to do with Li Zhi?

"Whoo~"

Li Zhi breathed a sigh of relief.

He clenched his fists and asked, "Mei Niang, what do you think I should do now to help me ascend the throne?"

He is in Bingzhou, thousands of miles away, and cannot return to Chang'an to be with his father. What else can he do?

You can't follow the example of your fourth brother Li Tai and recruit soldiers, right?

Wu Meiniang thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness, Bingzhou is the birthplace of the dragon and holds a high position in the Tang Dynasty. You can make some achievements in Bingzhou."

"For example, replanning and expanding Jinyang City, repairing the Fen River dam to prevent flooding, and digging the Jin River to irrigate the vast farmland in Bingzhou."

"Only if you demonstrate outstanding ability to govern the country and maintain peace will His Majesty and the court officials pay attention to you."

There was a pause.

Wu Meiniang continued, "The court has captured a large number of Western Turkic prisoners. You can write a letter to His Majesty, requesting more prisoners to serve as corvée."

"This way, the people in Bingzhou City can also rest and recuperate."

After hearing the suggestions made by Wu Meiniang, Li Zhi nodded in approval.

Measures such as repairing, upgrading and digging the Jinshui River are indeed beneficial to people's livelihood and can also bring great fame to oneself.

pity!

It's too late!

Besides, what were his achievements in Bingzhou compared to those of Li Chengqian and Du He?

Although Mei Niang is talented, she still doesn't see things clearly enough!

Li Zhi sighed in his heart, then forced a smile and said.

"Mei Niang, your suggestion is very good. I will summon the officials from the Bingzhou Governor's Office and the Royal Palace to discuss policies that will benefit the people!"

"Yeah." Wu Meiniang smiled and nodded.

Looking at Li Zhi's leaving back, Wu Meiniang's smile slowly disappeared, and was then replaced by a deep sadness.

She turned to look at the carp in the pond, watching them swimming back and forth in the small pond, and couldn't help but murmur in a low voice.

"How can a carp trapped in a small pond leap over the Dragon Gate?"

"Hey!"

Wu Meiniang sighed heavily, then picked up the old poetry collection again and read it.

...

Changan.

Ganlu Temple.

Li Shimin, Li Chengqian and Du He sat inside drinking tea and chatting with relaxed expressions.

In Li Shimin's hand, there was a thin booklet.

After a cup of tea.

Li Shimin said with satisfaction: "Du He, I think this Institute of Gewu you want to establish is very good!"

"The five major categories, namely the Mechanical Manufacturing Department, the Astronomy and Calendar Department, the Craft Manufacturing Department, the Agricultural Technology Department, and the Medical Research Department, cover all aspects of people's livelihood."

"As long as any one of them achieves success, it will benefit the country and the people!"

The various departments of the Academy of Gewu planned by Du He were very detailed.

Take the Ministry of Agricultural Technology as an example. It is further divided into planting, animal husbandry, fishery and aquaculture, forestry, etc.

The planning of these departments is as detailed as that of the imperial court.

"very nice!"

Li Shimin took another look at the information in his hand and said with emotion.

"Du He, you are such a talent!"