Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Princesses in the Tang Dynasty had a very high status, and many of them were not faithful to their husbands.

As a descendant of a large family, Pei Xingjian had heard about this matter a long time ago.

The sons of court ministers who married princesses were always the second sons, not the eldest sons.

This shows how much being a princess consort was disliked by ministers.

Du He smiled and continued, "Hou Haitang is the most beloved daughter of Duke Chen. She is well-educated and well-mannered. She is a perfect match among perfect matches."

"If you marry Haitang, and Duke Chen supports your career from behind, I think you will be able to climb to a high position in the core within three to five years."

"You should know that Duke Chen is also the Minister of Personnel!"

The Ministry of Personnel is the head of the six ministries. Except for officials of the fourth rank and above who cannot make decisions, can't the rest of the officials of the fifth rank and below be easily controlled by them?

Seeing Pei Xingjian's interest, Du He continued, "If you want to bring honor to your family, you need the support of a powerful father-in-law like Duke Chen."

"Besides, Haitang was looking for a son-in-law before, and Duke Chen is now asking you to marry a wife, which shows Duke Chen's sincerity."

One is to be a son-in-law, the other is to marry a daughter, and their status is very different.

In this era, marriages between wealthy families actually put interests first, followed by love between men and women.

Not all the legitimate daughters of the Five Surnames and Seven Families and the Six Major Surnames in Guanxi are beautiful, and many of them are of average looks.

However, for the purpose of family marriage, they will still marry the children of large families or children of high-ranking officials who are of equal status.

Du He finally said: "Of course, everyone has different ideas about life's major events."

"Brother Pei, if you mind that Haitang has been married before, I will help you turn down this marriage."

"I promise that Duke Chen will not blame you."

After saying this, Du He looked at Pei Xingjian quietly, waiting for him to make a decision.

It’s time for a cup of tea.

Pei Xingjian blushed and said, "Brother Du, I understand what you said. I don't dislike Miss Haitang for being married before. I just think that this marriage is too high for me."

"After all, I am now helpless, and Duke Chen is in a high position with great power. I always feel that I am not worthy of Miss Haitang."

"Of course, if it can be natural, it would be the best. That would be my great blessing."

It turns out that Pei Xingjian is a kid who lacks confidence and doesn't have much self-esteem.

Du He thought that he disliked Hou Haitang and caused such a big misunderstanding.

However, now that he knew what Pei Xingjian was thinking, Du He calmed down.

Judging from the performance of Hou Junji and his daughter, they loved Pei Xingjian very much.

This marriage is done!

Du He smiled and said, "Brother Pei, don't worry. Duke Chen saw your potential, so he wanted to marry Haitang to you."

"As long as you marry Haitang, it will be beneficial to both you and Duke Chen."

"Besides, you are from the Pei family in Hedong, a member of a large family, so it is not a loss of face."

This is the advantage of having a family name.

Although Pei Xingjian was not highly regarded in the family, ordinary officials had to give him some face when they met him because of his great reputation.

Pei Xingjian bowed respectfully to Du He and said, "Brother Du, please convey my decision to Duke Chen."

"Is it settled?"

"deal!"

Pei Xingjian said in a firm tone.

He remembered what Du He said in the morning: Help from noble people is not as good as having parents paving the way for you, and having parents paving the way is not as good as having support from father-in-law!

His father died early and his mother had no power.

Without the support of my mother’s family, the only one I can rely on now is my father-in-law.

Duke Chen holds a high position of power and influence in the court, and has an exclusive status, making him one of the few top-notch candidates for father-in-law.

What reason did he have to refuse?

Du He asked doubtfully, "Brother Pei, do you need your mother's consent for such an important matter as getting married?"

Pei Xingjian shook his head gently: "My mother has a weak temper, and I decide all the major events in her life."

Du He nodded: "Okay, let's go in."

The two walked back to the side hall.

Du He clasped his fists towards Hou Junji and said, "Uncle Hou, Shouyue said that if he could marry Haitang, it would be a blessing he earned in his previous life."

"It's just that Shouyue feels that he is only a seventh-rank official now, and is not worthy of Haitang."

"If Uncle Hou and Haitang don't mind, Shouyue is willing to grow old with Haitang."

Hearing Du He's words, Hou Junji stood up suddenly.

He walked to Pei Xingjian with a happy face, patted his shoulder and said, "Don't worry, my good son-in-law. We will become a family in the future, and you will no longer be a small seventh-rank prince's assistant!"

Hou Junji's words were very arrogant, but he had every reason to be arrogant.

When Hou Haitang heard her father directly call Pei Xingjian "son-in-law", not only did her face turn red with embarrassment, but even her earlobes turned red.

The big problem is solved and everyone is happy.

At the following banquet, Hou Junji pulled Du He and Pei Xingjian together and forced them to drink as much as they could.

Du He was better off, but Pei Xingjian was drunk.

When the show was over, Hou Junji ordered his servants, "Come here, send the son-in-law to the side room to rest, and send someone to take good care of him!"

"promise!"

The servants in Duke Chen's mansion felt nervous and were very careful when supporting Pei Xingjian.

The master's attitude towards the new son-in-law is much better than that of the previous son-in-law, and he must not be neglected.

Hou Haitang also came over and said, "Father, your daughter is going back to rest too."

Then she said to Du He gratefully: "Du He, thank you so much."

Watching Hou Haitang leaving the side hall like a little woman, cheering and jumping for joy, Du He couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth.

This time he was finally not used as a negative example.

In the spacious side hall, only Du He and Hou Junji were left.

And the door was closed again.

Du He said with a serious expression: "Uncle Hou, Liu Li is about to be promoted to the position of Shizhong, and he is going to recommend me as the Huangmen Shilang."

"My biggest competitor at the moment is Chu Suiliang, who is supported by Changsun Wuji."

Hou Junji was not surprised at all, because Du Ruhui had done Liu Li a favor, which many old officials in the court knew.

He said in a deep voice: "Don't worry, nephew Du, I will also help you from behind!"

"Thank you, Uncle Hou."

Du He clasped his fists and bowed.

The two chatted for another half an hour. As it was getting darker, Du He got up and said goodbye.

...

For several days in a row, all departments in the court were busy dealing with the Ministry of Personnel's assessment.

In order to compete for the several vacant positions, senior officials of the imperial court moved around frequently, and several forces were constantly fighting openly and secretly.

Secretary Province.

Du He and Yan Shigu were sitting in the office making tea and drinking it. In Du He's hand was a hardcover collection of poems.

Yan Shigu smiled and said, "Du Shaojian, this is the first bound collection of poems. You will hand it to His Majesty in person later."

Like "Pinyin" and "Chinese Dictionary", the first printed book was handed over to Li Shimin.

Du He nodded: "Okay."

He flipped through it for a while and couldn't help but exclaimed: "Master Yan, the collection of 300 Tang Poems is really well compiled! Especially the annotations in it, they are so well written!"

Those who can become great scholars are not mediocre people who have gained fame for nothing. After they added annotations to many poems, the originally mediocre poems instantly became much more profound.

Yan Shigu said with satisfaction: "Du Shaojian, these are all good suggestions from you."

After the two of them chatted about business, Yan Shigu poured Du He a cup of tea and said with emotion.

"Master Du, after this cold winter, I'm afraid I won't have the chance to have such a pleasant chat over tea with you again."

Du He asked in confusion: "Why?"