Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

When Du He heard the order given to him by Li Shimin, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

How could such an offensive thing, which offended all the nobles in the Tang Dynasty, be put on his head?

On the imperial platform.

When Li Shimin saw the faint expression on Du He's face, he raised his eyebrows slightly and then said with a smile.

"Du He, if you can handle this matter well, I will confer titles on your two sons."

"A sixth-class marquis and a seventh-class earl?"

"Your third son, Du Mingyuan, will have his title increased by one rank."

"how?"

Good guy!

He went to offend the clans and princes of the world, and the risks he faced were greater than using troops to annihilate foreign races. Li Shimin used a few mere titles to test him?

He is the Duke of Korea and a man with a fortune of millions. How could he not be able to withstand such a small test?

at this time.

Li Shimin continued, "Du He, I know you've been rectifying the officials in Yongzhou recently. As long as you do this, I'll let you do whatever you want."

"What do you think?"

Hearing Li Shimin's words, Du He and Li Chengqian's hearts trembled slightly.

As expected of an emperor of all ages with the appearance of a dragon and a phoenix, his method is truly brilliant!

Xi Junmai just replaced a few brave and brave captains, but Li Shimin already knew his intention. It seems that the old ones are still the best!

Seeing Li Shimin's smiling expression, Du He also knew that Li Shimin condoned his behavior.

"Could it be that Li Shimin is ready to retire?"

Du He pondered in his heart, then responded with a serious expression.

"The minister accepts the order!"

Previously, these aristocratic families and princes deliberately concealed their population, mainly for the purpose of avoiding taxes.

The Tang Dynasty is now implementing a tax system based on the amount of land they own. The court collects taxes based on the number of acres of land they own, so there is no need for these people to hide their population.

When the Ministry of Revenue measured the land, it was also convenient for it to register the population controlled by the aristocratic families and princes.

Earn two titles for your son for free.

Not bad!

When those little guys grow up, each of them will have the title of county marquis or duke, and will be able to live a rich and worry-free life.

Li Shimin smiled and asked: "Du He, you must prepare for the population of the Tang Dynasty now. Maybe you can do it ahead of time."

"promise."

Du He bowed in response.

Let’s finish talking about business.

Li Shimin changed the subject and asked, "Du He, an official has come to me privately these past few days, saying that the Institute of Gewu has recruited a large number of women as clerks. This behavior violates the rules passed down from generation to generation."

"Furthermore, these women are from the Qinghe Cui family, the Taiyuan Wang family, and the Lanling Xiao family. They accuse you of abusing your power for personal gain."

"Is this happening?"

Hey!

I didn’t expect that someone was still keeping an eye on Gewuyuan?

Du He said calmly, "Your Majesty, the officials I have selected are all capable people."

"As the saying goes, working together as a man and a woman is less tiring. Now that the Institute of Gewu has these beautiful clerks, the craftsmen are working much more diligently than before."

There was a pause.

Du He continued, "Your Majesty, if anyone feels that I am not capable of managing the Institute of Gewu and creating new tools that benefit the country and the people, you may replace me."

Seeing Du He turning the tables, Li Shimin's expression paused slightly.

This bastard!

He originally wanted to give Du He a warning, but he didn't expect this guy to just give up, leaving him unable to say anything else.

No wonder the auxiliary engine can never win against him, this little guy's brain is really too flexible.

There was silence for more than ten breaths.

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Du He, I was just asking casually. Since you have the ability to lead the Institute of Gewu to achieve some results, I will not interfere with the process."

"You are still responsible for the Institute of Gewu. No one else can do it."

The officials who asked him to impeach Du He originally intended to allow their family members to enter the Gewu Academy.

Besides, whether the Academy of Sciences can achieve results has little to do with those clerks. It mainly depends on the leadership of Du He and the cooperation of the craftsmen.

Du He bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your trust."

As they were talking, a eunuch walked in from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty, Yuan Tiangang has arrived outside the hall."

Li Shimin did not let Du He and Li Chengqian leave. He waved to the eunuch and said, "Bring Yuan Tiangang in."

His tone was somewhat cold, as if carrying a hint of murderous intent.

"promise."

The eunuch responded, then lowered his head and walked away quickly.

Not long after, Yuan Tiangang, his Taoist robe torn, stumbled in.

He walked to the center of the hall and slid to his knees.

"See Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, I was assassinated by five thugs last night. I almost couldn't see your face again!"

As the old man Yuan Tiangang spoke, he kowtowed heavily to Li Shimin several times, his tone full of sadness.

Hey!

This guy Yuan Tiangang, this set of movements is really smooth and flowing.

Especially the sliding kneeling, without decades of experience, it is impossible to do it so smoothly.

But Yuan Tiangang did look a bit miserable. There were more than a dozen bandages on his body, and a strong smell of herbs filled his nose.

On the imperial platform.

Li Shimin's expression softened as he said, "Yuan Tiangang, sit down and talk."

"No, Your Majesty!"

Yuan Tiangang saluted respectfully again.

When he stood up, he glanced at Du He, and his originally uneasy heart suddenly felt at ease.

For some reason, he always had a feeling that he could not die.

How strange!

Li Shimin glanced at Yuan Tiangang, then asked softly, "Yuan Tiangang, Dali Temple Minister Sun Fujia said you predicted the impending catastrophe. Do you really have such a skill?"

"Those assassins wanted to kill you, but you had a grudge against them?"

Hearing His Majesty's words, Yuan Tiangang's heart trembled slightly.

Don’t underestimate the lightness of His Majesty’s words. If he doesn’t answer well, it may bring disaster to himself.

He was stunned for a few breaths.

Yuan Tiangang bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am a cultivator and can sense life and death. Although I am not always right, I am almost always right."

"I am an honest and upright person and have never had any grudges against others."

Li Shimin glanced at Li Chengqian and Du He, then shook his head slightly.

He changed the subject and asked, "Yuan Tiangang, you are now over sixty years old, yet you can take on five strong men by yourself. Could it be that you are practicing immortal arts?"

When it comes to the word "immortal magic", Li Shimin's eyes are full of hope.

He sincerely hoped that Yuan Tiangang could master some magical skills so that he could cure his illness.

Yuan Tiangang quickly said, "Your Majesty, I don't know any magical arts, but I have already mastered the art of following the laws of nature. This means I have mastered the basics of both Taoist and sword techniques."

"I began practicing swordsmanship when I was young and have never stopped for fifty years, so I have many more ways to protect myself."

There was a pause.

He bowed to Du He and said, "I would also like to thank Duke Han for sending people to rescue me in time, otherwise I would have been killed by those thieves long ago."

Du He smiled and nodded at him.

It turns out that the "Tao follows nature" that these Taoist priests often talk about refers to Taoist magic and swordsmanship!

On the imperial platform.

Li Shimin said softly, "Cheng Qian, Du He, you go back first. I have something to talk to Yuan Tiangang alone."