Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

When Du He heard Xu Jingzong praising him again, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

This guy is worthy of being the number one treacherous minister in the Tang Dynasty, and he had a good ending in the end. Which monarch would not like such flattery?

Moreover, while he was flattering, he also had strong personal abilities, which allowed him to climb step by step to the position of prime minister.

All the officials looked at Xu Jingzong with a fawning face, and they all started to criticize him in their hearts.

"Pooh!"

"A villain who only knows how to flatter powerful officials!"

Despite their complaints, many officials still said various words praising Du He, but their flattery was rather stiff, not as smooth as Xu Jingzong's.

After the voices of all officials have subsided.

Li Shimin asked softly, "Du He, do you have a way to make people fly?"

"Let the people at the Institute of Gewu develop it. How long will it take for a breakthrough?"

All the officials turned their eyes to Du He, with anticipation on their faces.

Du He shook his head and said, "I know the principle of the flying technique, but the materials are the biggest problem. Let the Institute of Gewu study it for a few years, and there may be a breakthrough."

"It may even take more than ten years to develop."

The most troublesome thing is the airbag that provides buoyancy, which must not only be light but also resistant to high temperatures.

With the materials currently available to the Tang Dynasty, it is simply impossible to do this.

However, if you make a large Kongming lantern and only focus on making it fly, regardless of whether it lands, there is no big problem.

When Li Shimin and Li Chengqian heard that Du He knew the principles of the flying technique, their expressions were different.

Li Shimin shook his head slightly, a look of regret on his face.

How long can he live?

I dare not think about it in more than ten years, and six or seven years might be difficult, and Du He will not be able to do it in three or four years.

It seems that he is destined to have no chance of learning the art of flying in this life.

Li Chengqian's reaction was different. He was only 30 years old this year and had plenty of time to wait.

Maybe he can even become the first person to fly!

Li Chengqian said with a smile, "Du He, before you go on the expedition, remember to arrange for the craftsmen of the Institute of Gewu to start developing equipment for the art of flying."

"How much money do you need, and who do you need to cooperate with? Just tell me."

The construction of Daming Palace was already delayed by several years, and the development of the art of flying could not be delayed any further.

It would be best if it was developed when he ascended the throne. Then he would fly into the sky in front of all the officials and the people, and the people would definitely treat him as a god.

Well...

Du He was stunned for a moment, then he bowed and said, "I obey your order."

Everyone chatted about the secret art of flying for another half an hour, and the banquet ended near noon.

Li Shimin said in a loud voice: "Du He will stay. The Crown Prince will lead all the officials back to Chang'an and take those traitors back with him."

"Take him to the East Market and execute him in three days!"

After all the officials bowed, they left Ziwei Palace reluctantly.

They finally understood why His Majesty liked to chat with Duke Hanguo so much. It turned out that what Duke Hanguo said to His Majesty was so mysterious.

Not to mention His Majesty, they were also fascinated by what they heard.

After all the civil and military officials had left the hall, Li Shimin waved to the eunuchs, signaling them to leave.

A moment of silence.

Li Shimin smiled and asked, "Du He, Li Zhi told me something a while ago. The Crown Prince plans to make him the King of Zhenbei?"

"Are you planning to make the Eastern Turkic territory his fiefdom?"

When he heard Li Zhi tell him the news, he felt very satisfied and full of emotion.

The prince who was hopeless a few years ago turned out to be so sensible.

Fortunately, he did not abolish Li Chengqian's position as crown prince!

Du He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince does intend to confer the title of King of Zhenbei upon the Prince of Bingzhou, hoping that he can guard the northern border for generations."

"Ah."

Li Shimin stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction.

In fact, the territory of Eastern Turkestan is also good. The area close to the original territory of the Tang Dynasty is suitable for large-scale farming, and the grasslands in the north are suitable for grazing.

If managed carefully, this territory will be a Feng Shui treasure land.

Li Shimin continued, "Du He, these princes are all in Yuhua Palace now. I am also considering the candidate for the Prince of Zhenxi, and the fiefdom I have chosen is Tubo."

"Which prince do you think is more suitable?"

His original intention in establishing the Four Kings was to assist Li Chengqian's lineage in guarding the original vast territory of the Tang Dynasty for generations.

If their territory is arranged in the four corners of the world, it will not achieve the purpose of flattering the Tang Dynasty.

King of Zhenxi?

Du He said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I believe that Prince of Chu, Li Ke, is suitable to be the Prince of Zhenxi."

He had some understanding of Li Shimin. Li Shimin's favorites were his three legitimate sons, and the second was Li Ke, a brave and capable man like him.

This position is reserved for Li Ke.

Li Shimin smiled and said, "You little bastard, your thoughts are the same as mine."

The two chatted for a while longer.

Li Shimin took out a stack of secret reports and asked the eunuch to hand them to Du He.

"Du He, this is the information the Hundred Cavalry Division and the Ministry of War have gathered about Tubo and Tianzhu. I hope it will be helpful for your expedition."

"It's getting late. You should go back to Chang'an and take charge of the government affairs of the various ministries."

"Let Yi'er, Ping'an and their four children stay in Yuhua Palace for a while before going back."

His sons finally got together, but his health was deteriorating, and this separation might mean they would never see each other again in this life.

It would be better to spend some time with his children while he is still able to eat and drink.

"I will take my leave first."

After paying his respects, Du He quickly left Ziwei Palace.

After returning to the dormitory, he found that Li Lizhi and Gao Yang were also there, and they were talking and laughing with Li Yi.

After some salutes.

Du He said in a gentle voice, "Yier, His Majesty has asked me to return to Chang'an to prepare for the war, and he also asked you and the children to stay for a while before returning."

"Perhaps you will all stay in Yuhua Palace before I go on the expedition."

Then he told Li Yi the time of departure.

Li Yi, with a worried look on his face, warned, "Husband, swords are merciless on the battlefield. You cannot lead the troops to charge forward. You must protect your own safety."

"My three children, my unborn child, and I are waiting for your triumphant return in Chang'an."

Du He pinched her face gently and nodded solemnly.

The couple chatted for a while, and Du He chatted with his three sons for a while before they left the hall reluctantly.

Before he could walk far, Li Lizhi's voice came from behind him.

"Prince Consort Du, please stay."

Du He turned around and bowed, "What can I do for you, Princess?"

Watching Li Lizhi approaching quickly with a package in her hand, Du He immediately guessed what money was inside, and that she might have asked him to hand the gold and silver over to Chang Sun Chong.

A few breaths have passed.

Li Lizhi whispered, "Prince Consort Du, please give the money in the package to Chang Sun Chong. After all, we are husband and wife, and we can't just watch him die in depression."

"please."

Faced with the blow of his family being destroyed and his loved ones dying, Chang Sun Chong is likely to be unable to get over it.

After all, being exiled to a remote place without any gold or silver or valuables was difficult for Chang Sun Chong, who came from a noble family, to adapt.

Du He took the package and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will definitely bring the things to you."

After saying that, Du He strode away with the package.

Li Lizhi looked at Du He's back as he left, wanting to say something but hesitant, and finally said nothing.

Only when Du He's back was out of sight did she take out a letter from her sleeve.

"Hey!"

Li Lizhi sighed heavily, hid the letter in her sleeve again, then turned and walked back to the hall.

...

evening.

Du He returned to the gate of the princess's mansion under the escort of a group of guards and found that there were many officials standing outside, conservatively estimated to be more than thirty people.

From the colors of these people's official robes, it can be quickly distinguished that none of the officials present are below the fifth rank.

Du He frowned and asked, "Why are you staying at the gate of the Princess Mansion instead of going home during your next shift?"