Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

How many?

Bring 30 soldiers to Chang'an?

Can the Zhuque Street, which is only 10 miles long, accommodate so many soldiers?

Forget it.

It’s up to Li Chengqian to do as he likes.

Du He curled his lips secretly, then cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, rest assured. When you ascend the throne, I will definitely organize a review of 30 soldiers for you."

"it is good."

Li Chengqian nodded with satisfaction.

When he led the army to fight against Goguryeo in the 18th year of Zhenguan, he also saw tens of thousands of soldiers marching, but it was nothing like the shock he felt today.

After all, when the army was marching, the soldiers walked in a very disorderly manner, and even carried their weapons and bags on their shoulders.

It doesn't look majestic at all.

The soldiers of Yongzhou Prefecture under Du He's command are still better. Every one of them is well-fed and extremely strong. After wearing armor and holding spears, they look very powerful.

Only soldiers like this have the spirit and vigor!

After some emotion.

Li Chengqian asked in a deep voice, "Du He, now that these clan members have fled back to their fiefdoms in disgrace, do you think they will continue to resist the imperial court?"

"These clan members are all arrogant people. After suffering such a great humiliation today, will they become so upset that they will start a rebellion?"

Start a rebellion?

Just relying on those little bastards?

Du He waved his hand and said, "Your Highness, don't worry. Apart from Prince Jiang Li Yuanxiang, who has some strength, the rest of these people can't even muster a few soldiers. There's no need to worry."

"Not only do these people have no power themselves, but their wives' families also have no power."

The mother of Prince Jiang Li Yuanxiang was Concubine Yang, the daughter of Yang Su, the former Duke of Yue in the Sui Dynasty, and her maternal family was the Hongnong Yang family.

Since the Hongnong Yang family was weakened last year, the family's power has declined significantly.

If Li Yuanxiang seeks support from the Yang family, he probably won't get any help.

There was a pause.

Du He continued, "If it were Li Yuanjing, the Prince of Jing, Li Yuanjia, the Prince of Han, Li Yuanli, the Prince of Zheng, and Li Zhen, the Prince of Yue, they would only pose a threat if they raised an army."

"After all, they are governors or provincial governors of a state, holding the military and political power of the local state and county. Their maternal clans are also quite powerful."

Li Chengqian frowned when he thought of his uncles who were of the same age as him.

Will they make things difficult for themselves?

probably not!

His uncles cooperated very well with the tax reform and census this time, so it was impossible for them to rebel.

After thinking it through, Li Chengqian felt much more relaxed.

Li Chengqian warned, "Du He, regardless of whether they will rebel or not, you should still send spies to keep an eye on them to prevent them from harming the local people."

"it is good."

Du He bowed in response.

These princes are so angry with me that they will probably return to their fiefdoms to make things difficult for the local officials and people.

Sending spies to keep an eye on them might help you find something to hold against them.

Li Chengqian walked down from the imperial platform and said, "Du He, the reason behind instigating these clan members to come to Chang'an is Li Zhi, Zhangsun Wuji and others."

"During these three months, you must assign someone to keep an eye on them and prevent them from causing any trouble."

"When I ascend the throne, I will deal with them immediately!"

He had tolerated Zhangsun Wuji, Chu Suiliang and others for a long time, and it was impossible for him to endure it until the New Year.

If it weren't for the fact that his father was hanging on to his last breath and looked like he would die at any moment, he would have ascended the throne long ago.

"As ordered!"

Du He bowed in response, then spoke with a serious expression.

"Your Highness, you should persuade Princess Changle and Changsun Chong to divorce. Only then can the Changsun family be dealt with once and for all."

"Besides, Princess Changle and Changsun Chong are close relatives. If they were together, it would only ruin Princess Changle."

"I suggest that Princess Changle find another good ruler to free her from her suffering!"

Princess Changle Li Lizhi enjoyed considerable prestige in the court. She and Li Chengqian were siblings from the same mother and had a good relationship in private.

With her interference, it is not convenient for me to deal with Changsun.

Moreover, there would be no good result if Li Lizhi and Changsun Chong were together. It would be better to find a good husband for her, and maybe they could even have a child.

"Let Li Zhi and Zhang Sunchong divorce?"

“That’s possible!”

Li Chengqian said in a deep voice, "A few years ago, my father wanted to marry Li Zhi to Zhang Sun Chong, but because of Zhang Sun Wuji's favor, he couldn't bring himself to do it."

"If we allow them to divorce at this time, it will also undermine Zhang Sun Wuji's prestige in the court and the country!"

The purpose of marrying the royal princess to the minister was to win over these powerful officials.

But marriage is a double-edged sword. The huge benefits brought by marriage must be paid back double when divorce occurs.

Besides, Li Chengqian also sincerely felt that his sister's marriage to Changsun Chong was the most unsuccessful marriage decision made by his father.

A moment of silence.

Li Chengqian asked in a low voice, "Du He, what reasons do you think I could use to convince Li Zhi and Chang Sun Chong to divorce?"

He couldn't force Li Zhi and Chang Sun Chong to divorce, right?

Now that his father is not in charge, he cannot ask him to come out of retirement to avoid trying to take back his power.

If he uses tough measures to force his father to abdicate, it will be embarrassing for everyone.

Du He smiled and said, "In the 17th year of the Zhenguan reign, His Majesty sent the Minister of Revenue, Tang Jian, to investigate the dangers of incestuous marriages. He originally intended to implement a related ban, but in the end, due to the war, there was no follow-up."

"I believe we could add a law prohibiting close relatives, allowing Princess Changle and Changsun Chong to divorce and set an example for the world. What do you think of this argument?"

Not bad!

What a good reason to change the law!

Li Chengqian excitedly said, "Du He, you're such a genius!"

"I will immediately order Tang Lin, Sun Fujia, and Zhang Xingcheng to come over and have them add a law prohibiting close relatives."

Really impatient.

And the tone of his voice is pretty much the same as his.

Du He bowed and said, "Your Highness, if there is nothing important, I will go back to handle government affairs first, and arrange spies to keep an eye on these princes."

"Go."

Li Chengqian waved his hand.

His mind was now full of thoughts about getting Li Zhi and Changsun Chong to divorce and giving Changsun Wuji a slap in the face, and he had no time to talk to Du He about anything else.

Ministry of official affairs.

When Changsun Wuji was thinking about his next plan, he suddenly sneezed several times.

"A-choo, ah-choo~"

He suddenly felt a chill on his back, and the hairs on his body stood up uncontrollably.

"strangeness!"

"Who is plotting against me again?"

"Could it be that evil villain Du He?"

Thinking of the 76 Li clan members who retreated to Chang'an and disrupted the big network he had laid, Changsun Wuji's hatred for Du He increased by another %.

...

Du He had just returned to the Ministry of Revenue when he found Li Shimin's personal attendant waiting in the lobby.

When the eunuch saw Du He come in, he hurried forward to greet him.

"Greetings to Lord Korea."

"His Majesty summons you to Yuhua Palace and asks you to stay there tonight."

What?

Stay overnight at Yuhua Palace?

Would Li Shimin want to talk with him late into the night again?

Besides, it’s almost time to get off work. Wouldn’t it be dark by the time he gets to Yuhua Palace?

stunned for a moment.

Du He nodded and said, "You go back and report first. I will go back to the Princess's Mansion to get a change of clothes, and then go to Yuhua Palace on my own."

"As ordered!"

The eunuch responded respectfully.

...

The sun sets in the west.

Du He rode on a brown warhorse and quickly headed towards Yuhua Palace under the protection of a group of attendants.

He slapped his horse and shouted to his attendants.

"accelerate!"

"If you're late, you'll miss dinner!"