Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

When Li Chengqian learned that today was Li Jing's last day of teaching military tactics, he immediately arranged for a banquet to entertain Li Jing and even brought out all his treasured fine wines.

Because Xue Rengui went to train troops, Li Jing would not come to the Eastern Palace again in the future. He did not refuse but agreed readily.

After a few months in the Eastern Palace, Li Jing and Li Chengqian discovered, after in-depth contact with the prince, that his behavior was completely different from his previous reputation.

Although Li Chengqian is not as wise and brave as Your Majesty, he is also a crown prince who is respectful to wise men and good at accepting advice.

Moreover, his partnership with Du He is as trustworthy and efficient as the partnership between Your Majesty and Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui.

at the banquet.

Li Chengqian raised his glass and toasted Li Jing, saying, "Duke Weiguo, you have worked hard to come to the East Palace to teach the three of them. I offer you a toast."

Li Jing quickly raised the wine glass with both hands and said in return: "Your Highness, as Rengui's master, it is my duty to teach my disciples. As for Prince Consort Du and Shouyue, I will teach them as well."

"I wish the Crown Prince to conquer Goguryeo next year and be invincible."

The two bosses said a word of blessing to each other, with smiles on their faces, and drank the wine in their glasses.

Li Jing put down his wine glass and pouted at Du He, saying, "Nephew Du, you have already started your apprenticeship. Uncle Li is waiting for you to show your prowess on the battlefield of Goguryeo."

"If you get beaten up by the enemy, don't tell anyone when you come back that you learned the art of war from me."

Hearing Li Jing's joke, everyone in the hall laughed heartily.

"Hahaha."

I didn’t expect that the extremely majestic Duke Weiguo also has such a witty and humorous side.

Du He's face froze, and then he raised his wine glass and gestured to Li Jing, "Master Li, don't worry. If we lose the battle, I promise I won't say anything."

"Master Li, I, your anonymous disciple, would like to offer you a toast."

This glass of wine is served in the relationship between master and disciple, and is a tribute to the master.

Li Jing picked up the wine glass and said with a smile, "Come on."

This time, Li Jing was drunk, and even Du He, who only drank lightly, got drunk.

...

The next day.

A meeting of hundreds of officials.

Du He was at the front of the civil officials and saw the Minister of Personnel Hou Junji, who was out for military training. When the two looked at each other from a distance, Hou Junji nodded at him.

"Why is Hou Junji back?"

Du He muttered to himself, his heart full of doubts.

As the commander-in-chief of the central army, Hou Junji was not only responsible for coordinating the central army, but also for coordinating the combat arrangements of the two armies of Liaodong Road and Canghai Road.

Although Li Chengqian was nominally the commander-in-chief of the entire army, the specific coordination of operations was the responsibility of Hou Junji.

As the court meeting progressed, Du He finally knew the reason why Hou Junji returned to Chang'an.

The annual Ministry of Personnel year-end assessment is here!

At the end of each year, the Ministry of Personnel’s performance evaluation of all officials is a top priority, as it affects the promotion and demotion of court officials.

After the meeting.

The officials in the court did not stay in the Taiji Hall, but left in a hurry.

The quality of the assessment results has a lot to do with whether they are adequately prepared.

Some data that are difficult for the Ministry of Personnel to verify can be a plus for the heads of departments and their subordinates as long as they are done secretly and beautifully.

Secretary General Yan Shigu also came over. He looked at Du He with admiration on his face and asked softly.

"Master Du, do you have any other plans later?"

Du He stood up and shook his head and said, "Sir Yan, if you need my cooperation, just tell me."

Regarding his elder brother's promotion, Du He needs to inform Hou Junji in advance, but not now.

At this critical juncture, if he openly went to the Minister of Personnel to complain in broad daylight in front of everyone, he would easily be impeached by other counselors and censors.

After all, those bastards in Menxia Province hated him to the core.

Yan Shigu said softly, "I have already prepared all the materials for the Ministry of Personnel's assessment, and I need you, the secretary, to sign them."

Originally, these tasks were done by Du He, the Junior Secretary, but Du He was often not in the Secretariat, and he had made great contributions to the Secretariat, so Yan Shigu took over the job and did it himself.

Du He nodded and said, "Okay, let's go over there now."

Just as the two were about to walk out of the Taiji Hall, the Yellow Gate Minister Liu Li called out from behind.

"Prince Du, please wait a moment."

When Du He and Yan Shigu turned around, Liu Li had already strode over.

Liu Li clasped his fists and bowed to Yan Shigu, then said to Du He, "Prince Consort Du, you are also serving as a counselor, so remember to come to the Ministry of Personnel when you have time."

"I have prepared your year-end performance report for you. Come take a look when you are free. If there is no problem, please sign it."

After saying this, Liu Li also glanced at Yan Shigu.

The core ministers of these departments had already been summoned in advance by His Majesty.

Your Majesty has made a clear decision to promote him to the position of Shizhong and give him full authority to take charge of the Menxia Province.

Moreover, he also heard from the Minister of the Central Secretariat Yang Shidao that the Prime Minister Zhangsun Wuji wanted to recommend the Grand Counselor and Prince's Guest Chu Suiliang to be the Minister of the Imperial Household.

Liu Li and Chu Suiliang had incompatible personalities and they also had conflicts in private, but they just pretended to be harmonious on the surface.

Liu Li felt that if Chu Suiliang was allowed to serve as the adjutant of the Menxia Province, something would go wrong sooner or later.

Based on the many contributions Du He has made this year, he is fully capable of being promoted one or two levels.

Moreover, Du He had a close relationship with him, and both his ability and the official position he currently held were far superior to Chu Suiliang.

So Liu Li planned to poach Yan Shigu and recommended Du He as the Yellow Gate Minister and make him the adjutant of the Menxia Province.

Du He clasped his fists and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Minister Liu. I will go to the Ministry of Personnel as soon as I finish my work at the Secretariat."

"Haha, don't worry, come over when you are free, and we can slowly make some tea and chat."

After Liu Li finished speaking without any airs, he smiled and nodded at Yan Shigu, then strode out of the Taiji Hall.

When Yan Shigu heard that Liu Li was personally helping Du He write the performance report, his expression changed slightly.

Looking at Liu Li's behavior, it seems like he is trying to snatch the person from him!

"No, I have to let Du Shaojian stay in the Secretariat!"

Yan Shigu knew that he was old and his health was deteriorating.

He wanted to recommend Du He as the Secretary General and lead a group of old friends in the Secretariat to earn some money for retirement.

The two came to the Secretariat.

Yan Shigu took out a large stack of information and handed it to Du He, then personally made tea for Du He.

"Master Du, please read it carefully before signing."

"I'll make you some tea, and we can chat."

Du He nodded at Yan Shigu, and then began to carefully browse the assessment materials.

You can't be careless about this, otherwise if something goes wrong it will be a serious crime.

Yan Shigu praised while making tea: "Du Shaojian, the printing plate of the poetry collection has been prepared and can be officially printed tomorrow."

"Nearly 90% of the Chinese Pinyin and Chinese Dictionary have been completed, and the printing task will be completed ahead of schedule by mid-December."

He poured Du He a cup of tea and said, "Master Du, have a cup of tea and take your time."

"Thank you, Master Yan."

Du He took the teacup and drank it in small sips.

He felt that Yan Shigu's attitude today was very strange, and Liu Li was the same.

But he couldn't tell exactly what was strange.

Yan Shigu paused for a moment, his eyes shining with kindness, and he spoke softly.

"Master Du, your achievements this year are great enough. I am ready to recommend you to His Majesty as the Secretary-General!"