Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

When Du He walked into Tingyuxuan Tavern, the shopkeeper Zheng Sihai quickly came up to him with a smile on his face.

"Master Du, how come you have time to come to our shop today?"

"Do you want to eat?"

Du He saw that the lobby on the first floor was full of people having dinner.

So he waved his hand and said softly, "I'm bringing my family to watch the exorcism performance today. Your big private room on the second floor is just right."

Zheng Sihai understood immediately, and he quickly said, "Master Du, the private room on the second floor is empty now, please go up."

Du He nodded: "Excuse me, Manager Zheng."

"Mr. Du, you're welcome."

Zheng Sihai quickly bowed in reply.

When Du He brought Li Yi and a large group of people from Duke Lai's Mansion to the private room on the second floor.

Linglong couldn't wait and hurried to the windowsill, and pushed the window open.

The wonderful performance below came into clear view.

Linglong stamped her feet excitedly and said, "Your Highness, the view of the performance here is great."

As she said this, she hurried over again, walked to the other side to support Li Yi, and slowly walked to the windowsill.

Li Yi watched the performance below with a smile on his face.

At this time, Shopkeeper Zheng and his waiters came up with basins of oranges.

"Master Du, there's not much fruit in the cold winter, so eat some oranges."

Du He clasped his fist towards him and said, "Thank you."

Shopkeeper Zheng waved his hands quickly.

After arranging the servants to put down the fruit, he quickly left the private room with the servants.

Not long after, he came up with a few pots of boiling tea, and considerately closed the door when he left.

Du He walked to Li Yi's side and watched the performance with her for a while, but soon lost interest.

To be honest, it would be better to go to Baihua Tower to watch the four top artists of music, chess, calligraphy and painting dance than to watch this kind of folk performance. At least it can make him excited and his blood boil.

Li Yi, Linglong and Lu Ziying were watching the performance.

The three Du He brothers were drinking tea and chatting.

During the chat, Du He asked curiously.

"Old Third, how did you get to know Lu Ziying?"

Du Aitong glanced at Lu Ziying, then said softly, "When I was the magistrate of Taiping County, I met Lu Chen, the magistrate of the neighboring Jishan County, and we became close friends."

"In June this year, Lu Chen brought his sister Ziying to visit Taiping County, and I happened to receive them."

"After this acquaintance, Ziying often came to Taiping County to see me and worked with me to promote composting."

"Gradually we came together."

After hearing about how Du Aitong and Lu Ziying met, Du He and Du Gou both smiled and nodded.

It turned out that it was Lu Chen, the elder brother-in-law, who acted as a matchmaker. No wonder they were already discussing marriage after only knowing each other for a few months.

Du Gou said with a smile: "Third brother, you are still capable."

When he received the letter from the third brother, expressing his intention to marry a woman from the Lu family of Fanyang, he was stunned for a long time.

Because the Du family and the Fanyang Lu family do not have close contacts in normal times.

Du Aitong continued, "According to the assessment of me by the Jiangzhou Governor's Office this year, I should have been promoted four levels, from the magistrate of a lower county to the magistrate of an upper county."

"Later, with the help of Ziying's family, I was able to jump seven levels and was promoted to Sima of Jiang Prefecture, a fifth-rank official."

Du Aitong paused, then turned to look at Du He and said with anticipation on his face.

"Ziying's father said that after we get married next year, he will recommend me to the Ministry of Revenue to serve as a doctor in the Ministry of Revenue."

"But he also said that his ability alone might not be enough, and he needs your help, second brother."

People from top families such as the Five Surnames and Seven Aristocrats have enormous power in their local areas, but when they arrive in Chang'an, their influence is much smaller.

Because Li Shimin intended to suppress these big families, the core forces in Chang'an City now are all the brothers who followed Li Shimin to conquer the world.

Now my second brother is like a fish in water in the East Palace, and has made the acquaintance of many important officials in the court.

In Du Aitong's heart, his second brother is now very capable. Even his eldest brother, who is the governor of a lower state, can get the important position of Shangshu Zuocheng.

Isn't it easy to capture a small fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue?

Du He smiled and said, "Third brother, you are really lucky. Your future father-in-law is really dedicated to your career."

"Second brother will naturally support you with all his strength. In the next few days, second brother will prepare something for you so that you can be promoted again next year."

This is the effect of marrying women from the five surnames.

Although the Jingzhao Du family is not very powerful, the third son has the support of his powerful natal family and is now on a smooth career path as an official.

Hearing that his second brother was willing to help, Du Aitong's face instantly became happy. He stood up and said.

"Great, thank you, brother!"

Du Aitong's voice was a little loud, causing Li Yi, Linglong and Lu Ziying, who were watching the excitement, to turn around and take a look.

Forehead...

"Sorry, I lost my composure. Please continue watching."

Du Aitong touched his nose angrily and quickly raised his hand to apologize.

"You little brat, you're getting married soon, but you're still so impatient." Du Gou scolded him with a smile, and then asked curiously, "Second brother, what are you going to give to the third brother this time?"

He is now truly impressed by Du He. They are both born to the same parents, yet how come the second child has all the excellent genes and intelligence?

Du Aitong also sat down and looked at his good second brother with anticipation.

Although the Langzhong of the Ministry of Revenue was only an official position below the fifth rank, he was in charge of many matters such as the country's household registration, land, taxes, succession, etc.

Therefore, the core power of the Ministry of Revenue is all concentrated in the Ministry of Revenue.

This is a position with low official power and great wealth.

Du He smiled and said, "The Ministry of Revenue needs to deal with various data every day. I happen to have a simple arithmetic that can help the Ministry of Revenue calculate the accounts clearly."

"You'll know the specifics when I figure it out."

The accounting problems of the Ministry of Revenue have always been a headache for emperors of all dynasties.

Because bookkeeping is troublesome and complicated, many officials take advantage of loopholes to cook the books, which is difficult to detect in a short time.

Unless you specially check the accounts and find a dozen gentlemen to use an abacus, it will take two or three months to calculate.

If Du He could figure out Arabic numerals, it would definitely be a huge benefit to Li Shimin, because the accounting and auditing would be clearer.

As for whether it is a good thing or a bad thing for the officials of the Ministry of Revenue and the officials of various prefectures and counties, it is hard to say.

Du Gou and Du Aitong nodded but did not ask any further questions.

They then talked about what had happened to each of them during this period.

Time passed by minute by minute, and the sky gradually became dark.

Suddenly Linglong turned around and shouted loudly.

"Come and see, there are firecrackers going off down there."

As soon as she finished speaking, the sound of firecrackers rang out.

The year ends with the sound of firecrackers, and the sound of firecrackers heralds the arrival of the New Year.

Du He and his group looked for a long time, and only went back when Li Yi yawned.

Before leaving, Du He threw a small bag of silver to Shopkeeper Zheng and said to him.

"Manager Zheng, sorry to bother you today."

The shopkeeper Zheng Sihai said quickly: "Master Du, you are too polite, you..."

As he said this, he wanted to hand the silver back.

Du He shook his head and said, "Take it. You have worked hard to wait for us so late, this is what you deserve."

"Hehe, then I'll shamelessly accept it."

Zheng Sihai no longer refused, but happily accepted the money.