Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

In the exclusive office of the Yellow Gate Minister.

Liu Li personally poured tea for Du He.

"Nephew Du, please have some tea."

Du He nodded and said politely, "Thank you, Uncle Liu."

Then he picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

Liu Li looked at Du He with admiration and said with a smile on his face, "Nephew Du, I didn't expect you to have such a good talent for poetry."

Then he shook his head and recited in a rhythmic manner.

"I have accomplished the king's business, won fame in life and after death, but now my hair has turned white!"

“This poem is well written!”

When Du He heard Liu Li recite the poem he had given to Li Jing, coupled with his particularly warm hospitality today, he suddenly felt something was wrong.

As expected, after Liu Li briefly laid the groundwork, he directly stated the purpose of calling him to the Menxia Province.

"Nephew Du, His Majesty has asked people from the three provinces, six ministries, nine temples and five bureaus to participate in this Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival."

"You are from our Menxia Province, and you are quite talented in poetry. This time, you will represent the Menxia Province to participate in the poetry meeting."

"If you can get a top three place in the poetry competition, His Majesty will give your department a huge reward!"

After Liu Li finished speaking, he added tea to Du He's cup, his face full of anticipation.

This~

Du He's body stiffened and the teacup he raised stopped in mid-air.

It was quiet for several breaths.

Du He put down his teacup and whispered, "Uncle Liu, is the department's expenses going to increase by 10% next year?"

Liu Li was stunned and asked curiously, "Nephew Du, how did you know that?"

Your Majesty just told them about this yesterday, how come Nephew Du knew about it so quickly?

Could it be that Yan Shigu got there first?

Du He said softly, "Uncle Liu, my nephew has promised the Secretary General Yan that he will represent the Secretariat to attend this poetry meeting."

really!

Yan Shigu is such a quick guy!

Thinking that his own official could not represent the Menxia Province to attend the poetry meeting, the smile on Liu Li's face became a little stiff.

If Du He helped the Secretariat win the poetry competition award, the people in the Ministry of Personnel would probably scold him behind his back for not knowing how to employ people.

"Nephew Du is also from the Menxia Province. We can't let Yan Shigu get away with it. We have to fight for it!"

Liu Li secretly made up his mind.

He quickly adjusted his mood and a smile appeared on his face again.

"Nephew Du, you started working as a counselor in the Ministry of Personnel in April, and only became a secretary in late May."

"So, Menxia Province is your mother's home. You should represent Menxia Province to attend the poetry meeting."

Once these words were spoken, it was a blatant attempt to snatch the person from Yan Shigu.

Du He asked curiously, "Uncle Liu, can I represent two departments at the poetry reading at the same time?"

"No."

Liu Li replied truthfully.

Because many of the current court officials hold multiple positions.

When His Majesty told them about participating in the poetry competition, he had already made it clear that one person could only represent one department.

There's nothing we can do about it.

Du He had previously agreed to attend the poetry meeting on behalf of the Secretariat. If he agreed to Liu Li now, his reputation in the court would be bad in the future.

"Uncle Liu, I promised Master Yan first, so I can only say sorry to you."

"The province is full of talented people, all of whom are well-versed in literature and poetry. We might as well send a few more people to participate in the poetry gathering to win by sheer numbers."

Liu Li was not surprised to hear Du He say this.

He shook his head and said, "His Majesty has ordered that each department can only send a maximum of three people to the poetry gathering."

"Uncle knows the other people in the Menxia Province very well. They are indeed knowledgeable, but few of them can write poetry."

Reading a lot of books may make you able to write poetry, but it does not mean you can write good poetry.

Writing poetry requires a lot of talent.

Liu Li drank a sip of tea depressedly and sighed: "Oh, what a pity!"

Du He smiled and said, "Uncle Liu, there's nothing to regret. I just had a flash of inspiration and came up with a pretty good lyric."

"Maybe I won't be able to come up with anything at this poetry gathering."

"It would be more appropriate to send someone with great talent and knowledge to participate."

Liu Li thought for a moment, then nodded slightly.

Writing poetry on the spot is different from writing poetry at home by pondering over it.

Because writing poetry requires very little time to think, it is a test of one's literary skills and is not something that can be created casually.

Thinking of this, Liu Li did not insist and started chatting with Du He about family matters.

The two chatted for nearly half an hour, and then Du He stood up and said goodbye.

Liu Li stood up and said, "Nephew Du, I'll see you off."

Du He quickly waved his hands and said, "Uncle Liu, please stay. I can go out by myself."

"Okay, then I won't be too polite with you. Come visit me often when you have time."

"Don't worry, Uncle Liu. I will."

After Du He finished speaking, he left the office directly.

When he walked through the office lobbies of the Menxia Province, not only did no one greet him, but many people also glared at him coldly.

"These petty old guys really hold grudges."

Du He did not give them a good look either. He glanced at them provocatively and mocked them without any scruples.

"Haha, a bunch of rubbish."

Hearing Du He's provocative words, a group of officials in the Menxia Province were furious.

But they couldn't do anything to Du He.

After all, he didn't curse anyone by name, and it was a very small matter. If he went to the emperor to impeach Du He, he would probably be punished by His Majesty.

Seeing their faces turn red with anger, Du He felt much happier.

Sure enough, happiness is based on the pain of others.

After walking out of the Menxia Province, Du He glanced in the direction of the East Palace but did not go there.

Instead, he changed direction and went straight back to Princess Chengyang's Mansion.

Princess Changle Li Lizhi's health condition was not ideal. His kind-hearted daughter-in-law was worried about her and must have been unable to eat well or sit still.

It would be better to go with her to have a look earlier.

...

At the gate of Princess Changle’s mansion.

Du He and Li Yi's sedan chair was stopped by the imperial guards.

Linglong stepped forward and said, "This is the carriage of Princess Chengyang and Prince Consort Du. Please let it pass, General."

"General Li has ordered that all carriages and sedans entering the Princess's residence must be inspected."

Linglong frowned and said, "Does Princess Chengyang's sedan chair need to be inspected as well?"

"I must treat everyone equally."

After Linglong's negotiations with them failed, she could only go to the carriage and tell Li Yi and Du He everything that happened.

Li Yi said in a gentle voice: "Put down the sedan chair and let them check it."

Du He helped Li Yi stand up and helped her slowly walk out of the sedan.

At the gate, there was a large group of Qianniu guards wearing armor and holding spears, including the people led by Qianniu of the East Palace.

The guard leader bowed to Du He and Li Yi and said, "Your Highness, Princess, and Prince Consort Du, I apologize for the offense."

Then he went to check it out himself.

After taking a quick look at the carriage and finding no hidden weapons, he quickly walked up to Du He and Li Yi and bowed apologetically.

"Your Highness, Prince Consort Du, this is my duty. I hope you will forgive me."

After he finished speaking, he shouted to the Qianniu guards at the gate, "Let them pass."